Sindh Launches Province-Wide Anti-Polio Campaign Amid Concerns Over Rising Cases

Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah launched a province-wide anti-polio campaign by administering drops to two newborns at KMC Gizri Maternity Home, marking the start of a week-long effort to vaccinate over 10.6 million children under five across Sindh. The campaign, which runs from October 13 to 19, has been accompanied by announcements of full monitoring in all districts and the deployment of vaccination teams to households to administer anti-polio drops and provide Vitamin A supplements. According to the Chief Minister, 80,000 health workers and 21,000 security personnel are participating in the campaign.

Key Takeaways:

• The province-wide anti-polio campaign aims to vaccinate over 10.6 million children under five across Sindh, marking a significant effort to combat the spread of the virus.
• Chief Minister Shah emphasized the importance of full monitoring in all districts and announced that vaccination teams would visit households to administer anti-polio drops and provide Vitamin A supplements.
• The campaign has been endorsed by key stakeholders, including Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon, and representatives from UNICEF, WHO, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Rotary International.
• The Chief Minister assured parents of the vaccine's safety, recalling that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had administered it to her own daughter, Asifa Bhutto Zardari.
• The government has pledged to collaborate with international partners to make Pakistan polio-free, with a focus on 100 per cent coverage across all 1,400 UCs in Sindh.
• Pakistani teams also vaccinate Afghan children before they return across the border, reflecting a broader regional effort to combat the spread of polio.
• Letters will be sent to all media outlets to promote the campaign and intensify awareness among the population.

Statistics:

• 10.6 million children under five across Sindh will be vaccinated as part of the province-wide anti-polio campaign.
• 80,000 health workers are participating in the campaign.
• 21,000 security personnel are participating in the campaign.
• 1,400 UCs in Sindh aim to achieve 100 per cent coverage.
• 9 new polio cases have been reported in Sindh this year.

Sources:

• Zaidi, A. (2020). Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah launches anti-polio campaign amid concerns over rising cases. *Dawn.*
• State Government of Sindh. (2020). Launch of Province Wide Anti Polio Campaign.