A meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Polio Eradication chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Dr. Muhammad Fakhre Alam was informed that more than 80,000 polio workers in the 30 districts will be part of this seven-day vaccination drive. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Home Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Saleem Rajput, Additional IG Karachi Khadim Hussain Rind, Coordinator Emergency Operations Center Sindh Arshad Ali Sodhar, representatives of WHO, UNICEF and other relevant officials of National Emergency Operations Center.
All divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners also participated in the meeting via video link. The meeting discussed the overall status of the poliovirus and strategies for its containment. Arshad Ali Sodhar, Coordinator Emergency Operation Center Sindh, briefed the attendees, highlighting the report of two polio cases reported in Karachi, a concerning situation that necessitates an effective polio campaign in the city. He further mentioned that the workforce training and security plans for the upcoming polio campaign have been finalized. During the meeting, Chief Secretary Sindh, Dr. Muhammad Fakhre Alam, emphasized the need to launch the anti-polio campaign effectively in the current high-risk union councils to achieve the desired results.
He instructed all deputy commissioners to closely monitor the polio campaign and ensure that their respective officers submit daily reports. Chief Secretary also directed the Health Department to ensure that children are administered polio drops at all railway stations and bus terminals. He also instructed education department officials to ensure that polio drops were administered to children in both private and government schools during the campaign. He also appreciated the cooperation of local government representatives during the polio campaign. It’s worth noting that in the upcoming polio campaign starting on 8th January to 14th January 2024, more than 10.3 million children will be administered polio drops, with over 80,000 polio workers and supervisors participating.
