KARACHI: Rotary Foundation Trustee 2020-24 and National Chair Polio Plus Aziz Memon organised meeting with EOC Sindh to discuss current polio situation and provided an update to Rotary delegates on EOC Sindh’s efforts.

Rotary delegation included IPDG Hanif Khan, PP Shahzad Sabir, PP Muneeb Khan and Asher Ali PNPPC.  EOC Coordinator Irshad Sodhar chaired meeting attended by WHO Team Lead Dr. Asif Ali, UNICEF Team Lead Dr. Shokat Ali, N-STOP Team Lead Dr. Shumaila Rasool and other EOC officers. Irshad Sodhar presented an overview of team’s initiatives to eradicate crippling disease. Trustee Aziz Memon outlined meeting’s objectives, emphasising importance of gaining insights into Sindh’s polio eradication efforts. He stressed need for Community-Based Volunteers to be from their respective areas to improve community engagement and address vaccine refusals effectively. Dr. Asif Ali presented an update on current polio cases and environmental positive samples across Sindh. He reported two polio cases-one in Shikarpur and another in Keamari district, Karachi Shikarpur case was linked to low immunity due to malnutrition, condition affecting 52 percent of children in Sindh. Dr. Asif highlighted that current cases involve inactivated polio viruses. To prevent its spread, mop-up sessions are being conducted in Jamshoro, Dadu, Mirpurkhas and Badin districts, along with planned IPV and OPV campaigns. Jet Injection will be administered to children aged 4-59 months in areas with persistent environmental positivity.

Irshad Sodhar emphasised need for collaboration among PPHI, EPI, EOC and Rotary. He suggested using gift packs containing soaps for hygiene purposes and balloons to attract children and parents to outreach sites.  Aziz Memon said Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth is actively working in Pakistan and offered full support for interventions in needed areas. He mentioned that Rotary has developed Speaking Book in Urdu, Sindhi and Pashto to promote hygiene in high-risk communities. Dr. Shaikh reported that two PTP shelters on Karachi-Balochistan Border and Motorway have been renovated and requested an inauguration. Irshad Sodhar expressed gratitude for Rotary’s previous support and reaffirming EOC Sindh’s commitment to eradicating polio from Pakistan.