Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has inaugurated a vital 10-day polio eradication campaign aimed at immunizing more than 1.1 million children under the age of five across 85 union councils in Karachi. The campaign will provide fractional inactivated polio vaccine (f-IPV) injections to 1,037,000 children aged four months to five years. Shah announced that innovative, painless jet injectors would be employed to reach high-risk areas in Karachi where the polio virus remains a concern.
Addressing the media after the launch on August 15, 2024, at Khalid Jameel Dispensary in Garden East, Shah emphasized the importance of the campaign, which will run until August 25. Minister for Planning and Development Nasir Shah, along with Provincial Ministers SharjeelMemon, Dr. AzraFazalPechuho, and Zulfikar Shah, were present at the event. Murad Shah said that the polio campaign launched in 85 union councils of Karachi city targeted over 1.1 million children under five to receive oral polio vaccine drops.
He added that 1,037,000 children (ages four months to five years) would receive fractional inactivated polio vaccine (f-IPV) injections. The Chief Minister stated that innovative and painless jet injector technology is being used to target high-risk areas in Karachi, where the polio virus is still circulating. He added that the mission aims to stop the spread of the virus in the city and prevent its transmission to other parts of the province.
Talking about the current polio situation in Pakistan, Murad Shah said that 14 new polio cases were reported in the country this year, including two in Sindh. “Each case represents a child affected by polio—emphasize the life-changing impact,” he said. Discussing progress and challenges, the CM said that a significant reduction in polio cases over the years has been achieved due to the efforts of healthcare workers, volunteers, and community support.
However, the virus still exists—emphasizing the need for continued vigilance, he said. “Success depends on the participation and cooperation of everyone: parents, guardians, community leaders,” Murad Shah said and emphasized that every child in the community must be vaccinated. Talking about Independence Day and commitment, the chief minister said that his government was celebrating their commitment to providing a polio-free future as they celebrated Independence Day. “Let us pledge ourselves to protect children from polio and ensure no child is left behind,” he said. Murad Shah expressed deep gratitude to healthcare workers and volunteers, and all involved in the campaign. He acknowledged their dedication as the backbone of the fight against polio. “Together, we can achieve freedom from polio. Pray for Almighty Allah’s guidance in protecting our children and our nation,” the CM concluded.
