KARACHI: Taking stock of the province’s polio situation ahead of another immunisation campaign, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on 21st May underscored the need for collective action and accountability at every level to tackle the public health challenge.
Chairing a meeting of the provincial polio task force at the CM House, Mr Shah reviewed the recent epidemiological trends, assessed the performance and finalised preparations for the upcoming polio drive.
He was given a detailed briefing by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in charge Irshad Sodhar.
“Every missed child is a potential case. Polio won’t be eliminated through routine efforts; it requires urgent, targeted and collective action. We must ensure that no child in Sindh remains unprotected,” said the chief minister.
Dr Pechuho informed the CM that 10 polio cases had been reported in the country so far this year, including four from Sindh.
Additionally, she pointed out, 11 out of 35 sewage samples collected between April 7 and April 24 tested positive, indicating continued circulation of the virus.
Under the new campaign set to begin from next week, she said, 157 doctors would be deployed to target 6,780 sick refusals — ailing children who are being denied immunisation by their parents. Police would assist in reaching 2,524 chronic refusals, she said.
The CM stated that polio continued to threaten children’s lives. “We are taking all efforts, and convening provincial task force meetings regularly to send a clear and loud message to the entire administration to launch campaigns as a mission,” he said.
He directed the health department to activate the refusal conversion committees in the defaulting union committees (UCs), while emphasising that accountability at all levels was essential.
“The fight against polio is a fight for trust, equity, and access. We must work hand in hand with parents, ulema, teachers, and frontline workers to ensure every child is vaccinated-every time,” he said.
Week-long campaign from 26th
According to officials, the upcoming campaign scheduled from May 26 to June 1 will target 10.6 million children under the age of five across 1,292 UCs in all 30 districts of Sindh.
The operation will be supported by over 80,000 trained frontline workers and 25,539 law enforcement personnel.
Children between six and 59 months will also receive Vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity.
The attendees included Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, WHO official Dr Salah Haithami, EOC in charge Sodhar, Javed Jagirani and representatives from partner organisations.
‘World’s largest cardiac hospital’
At another meeting, the CM reviewed the progress of the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) and steps to expand cardiac care network in the province, which included under-construction “world’s largest cardiac hospital” — the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases.
The state-of-the-art cardio care facility under the SICVD, stretching over 40 acres in Landhi near main Korangi Road, will feature 1,200 beds, five state-of-the-art operating theatres, four Cath labs and a hybrid lab, modern CT & MRI services, comprehensive paediatric cardiac care, a dedicated research centre and nursing school.
Informed sources said that the estimated cost of the project was Rs44 billion and it would be completed in two years. They said that the construction work on the project site would gear up after the upcoming provincial budget.
The CM said that the project was a monumental step towards transforming Pakistan into a regional leader in cardiac healthcare and medical research.
He said that no other public sector institution in the country matched SICVD’s reach and quality in cardiovascular healthcare.
According to a press statement issued from the CM House, the SICVD network has grown into one of the largest cardiac care systems in Pakistan, operating 10 full-scale cardiac hospitals and 29 chest pain units across the province.
The chief minister lauded SICVD as a model of public healthcare, noting that its services, from emergency cardiac care to complex surgeries and paediatric cardiology, are offered completely free of charge, a critical lifeline for thousands of patients who cannot afford costly private treatments in other provinces.
“No other public sector institution in the country matches SICVD’s reach and quality in cardiovascular healthcare,” the CM said.
The meeting was informed that a new facility of SICVD at Tando Mohammad Khan was set to be inaugurated soon.
As part of SICVD’s long-term vision, CM Shah was briefed on plans for a ground plus seven-floor facility, which will have 300 inpatient beds, advanced paediatric cardiology services, expanded operating g theatres and Cath labs.
The chief minister emphasised the importance of speedy construction, quality assurance, and continued patient-centric care. He also directed that monitoring mechanisms be strengthened to ensure that every rupee spent delivers measurable outcomes.
Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2025
