KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah inaugurated week-long anti-polio campaign across 24 districts by administering polio drops to children at newly established Gulshan-e-Aka Khail in Gadap and urged parents to protect their children from crippling virus by providing them with oral polio vaccines.

“Together, as community, let us forge path towards polio-free environment, securing healthier future for our children,” said while speaking at inauguration ceremony of anti-polio camping at Gadap. Ceremony was attended by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Secretary Health Rehan Baloch, Provincial Coordinator EOC Irshad Sodhar, CEO PPHI Javed Jagirani, National Chair, Rotary International Aziz Memon, Dr Asif Zardari of WHO, Dr Shaukat Chandio of UNICEF and others.

Health Department has launched Sub-National Immunisation Days campaign from April 29th to May 5th, 2024. This crucial initiative aims at vaccinating approximately eight million children under age of 5 against poliovirus in 24 districts of Sindh.

Over 62,000 front-line workers will work throughout province, ensuring every eligible child receives this life-saving vaccine. This massive effort will be supported by almost 4,000 security personnel. CM urged all schools, hospitals and caregivers to welcome vaccinators, as they truly are fighting on frontline in last stages of our battle against this debilitating disease.  Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that campaign was aimed at stopping alarming trend of positive environmental samples in Sindh and all over Pakistan, threatening health of our children. In recent reports, 11 positive environmental samples have been isolated from various sites in Sindh. This situation underscores urgency of this vaccination drive. Pakistan and Afghanistan are two remaining endemic countries and interrupting virus transmission in this epidemiological block is critical to eradicating polio. Polio Programmes of both countries are united in single mission to protect children from lifelong disability and end polio in region. Shah said that despite security challenges and persistent virus clusters, efforts were ongoing to ensure vaccination of every child. “To ensure no child is left unprotected, we encourage parents whose children are missed to contact Emergency Operations Centre’s Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166,” he said.  Media plays pivotal role in disseminating critical information. CM urged journalists and community leaders to rally support for ongoing anti-polio campaign, echoing endorsement of medical experts and religious scholars who advocate for safety and efficacy of oral polio vaccine.

Pechuho said that campaign was aimed at stopping alarming trend of positive environmental samples in Sindh and all over Pakistan, threatening health of our children.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 30 2024

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.