Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, led a high-level meeting to finalize the arrangements for a seven-day anti-polio campaign commencing on December 16. The initiative aims to vaccinate over 10.6 million children across Sindh, deploying more than 80,000 frontline workers.
The meeting, attended by key stakeholders, including Inspector General of Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, Commissioner Karachi Syed Hasan Naqvi, and representatives from WHO, UNICEF, and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), underscored the urgency of polio eradication. Chief Secretary Shah emphasized the need for universal coverage, urging all deputy commissioners to actively engage with vaccine-hesitant parents and ensure no child is left unvaccinated. “Parents must cooperate to safeguard their children’s future,” he stated, adding that strict measures would be taken against negligence during the campaign.
To enhance outreach, polio teams will also be deployed at bus terminals across the province. Notably, 18 teams will focus on Sohrab Goth Bus Terminal, a key transit point in Karachi. Commissioner Karachi Syed Hasan Naqvi addressed logistical challenges such as migrant populations and refusal cases, assuring comprehensive solutions.
Inspector General of Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed the deployment of over 24,000 police personnel to provide security for polio workers, ensuring their safety during the campaign. EOC Coordinator Irshad Ali Sodhar highlighted the completion of worker training and detailed mapping of high-traffic areas, further strengthening the campaign’s execution. Chief Secretary Sindh reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating polio, in collaboration with international partners, moving closer to the vision of a polio-free Pakistan.
“This campaign is not just about vaccinations; it’s about securing the health and future of our children,” he affirmed.
