Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on 03-February-2025 launched the February 2025 National Immunisation Days campaign by administering polio drops to children at an official ceremony at the CM House.
The initiative aims to immunise over 10.6 million children under five across the province and reaffirm the provincial government’s commitment to eradicating polio. To ensure the safety of around 82,000 polio workers, over 21,844 security personnel have been deployed across Sindh, including 5,833 in Karachi.
The event was attended by key officials, including Sindh Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Emergency Operations Centre Sindh Coordinator Irshad Sodhar, and representatives of Rotary International and other health partners.
Addressing the gathering, CM Shah emphasised that the fight against polio is not just a health campaign but a crucial mission for the children of the province. He said the government is determined to ensure that no child in Sindh suffers from this entirely preventable disease, and made the assurance that he would personally oversee the progress of this campaign.
The seven-day vaccination drive, running from February 3 to February 9, will deploy 82,000 frontline polio workers to reach every child under five, including those in remote and underserved communities. Special teams will also be stationed at transit points to immunise children travelling during the campaign.
Shah highlighted the urgency of the campaign, noting that Pakistan remains one of the last two countries in the world where polio is still present. He pointed out that in 2024, out of Pakistan’s 73 reported polio cases, 22 were from Sindh. The first case of 2025 has already emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan, reminding everyone that the virus continues to threaten children.
The CM also mentioned that environmental surveillance data has detected the poliovirus in several areas across Sindh, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance and immunisation efforts.
Acknowledging the dedication of polio workers, he commended them for going door to door in challenging conditions. He issued a stern warning against any resistance to the vaccination drive.
He said that there would be zero tolerance for any threats or obstruction against polio teams, and that anyone attempting to hinder the campaign would face strict legal action. He stressed that these workers are not just health staff but protectors of children’s future, deserving full respect and support.
In a new initiative to enhance campaign effectiveness, he introduced a performance scorecard developed by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah to evaluate district-level efforts. The CM explained that best-performing districts would receive recognition, while underperforming areas would be held accountable to ensure every child is vaccinated.
He urged parents to welcome polio teams, and ensure that their children receive the vaccine. He appealed to parents to not let myths or misinformation endanger their children’s future, emphasising that the polio vaccine is safe, effective and free of charge.
He reminded them that even if a child has been vaccinated before, they need multiple doses to build strong immunity. He also called upon religious leaders, teachers, community elders and influencers to use their platforms to encourage parents to participate in the campaign.
He stressed that collective efforts would help make Sindh and Pakistan polio-free, and that this is an opportunity to be part of history, fulfilling the vision initiated by Benazir Bhutto.
Pakistan remains among the last two polio-endemic countries alongside Afghanistan. In 2024, over 625 environmental samples confirmed the presence of the poliovirus in multiple high-risk districts, including Karachi and Hyderabad. This indicates continued circulation of the virus, making consistent immunisation campaigns critical to preventing outbreaks.
Sodhar on the occasion stressed the importance of uninterrupted vaccination efforts. He said that until polio is eradicated, every child remains at risk, and appealed to parents and community leaders to cooperate fully in ensuring every child is administered polio drops.
The Sindh government, in collaboration with district administrations, health authorities and community leaders, is making special efforts to reach vulnerable populations, including nomadic families, transient populations, low-income communities and high-risk districts with persistent poliovirus circulation.
Special outreach teams have been assigned to remote areas, while religious scholars, teachers and elders are playing a vital role in dispelling vaccine misinformation and encouraging participation.
Security measures
Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Monday directed the Sindh police department to ensure the safety of the latest polio immunisation campaign at provincial level that is running until February 9, adds Salis bin Perwaiz.
Lanjar ordered ensuring coordination with the relevant institutions and among the police during the seven-day polio drive. He ordered making strict security measures by dividing the union councils (UCs) into categories. He also ordered deploying police commandos in sensitive UCs to protect the vaccinators.
He stressed adopting a barrier strategy during the security process, and ensuring strict surveillance in localities and streets, and on roads. He said that the process of administering polio drops to children by going door to door should be made successful.
Published in News Daily on 04-February-2025.
