Zero tolerance for refusal cases in latest polio drive, warns Murad

On World Polio Day 2024, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced the adjournment of the ongoing provincial assembly session for five days to allow all the members of the legislature to actively participate in the anti-polio campaign.

The decision was made during the meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Polio at the CM House, where Shah stressed the importance of each MPA administering polio drops to children under the age of five in their respective constituencies.

“This move aims to strengthen the anti-polio campaign that was initiated by former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and bring it to a successful conclusion,” said the CM, who presided over the task force meeting.

He revealed that a five-day anti-polio drive would be conducted from October 28 to November 1. This time, he emphasised, there would be zero tolerance for refusal cases. “That is why I have decided to engage parliamentarians, other elected members, civil society and ulemas to ensure full participation.”

The meeting was held in conjunction with World Polio Day events. Shah pointed out that 40 polio cases have been reported in Pakistan this year, including 12 in Sindh, 20 in Balochistan, six in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Punjab.

He said 23 cases have also been reported in Afghanistan. He highlighted that frequent movement across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and between provinces has contributed to the resurgence of polio.

He reiterated the Sindh government’s commitment to eradicating polio, emphasising that any failure to vaccinate children during the upcoming campaign would not be tolerated. “The deputy commissioners have been instructed to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.”

Security remains a top concern, with Shah saying that SSPs have been directed to provide strong protection for polio teams. “Daily reports on security arrangements will be sent to the CM Secretariat.”

Reflecting on Sindh’s progress in fighting polio, the CM noted that the province has come a long way, reducing polio cases from hundreds annually in the 1990s to the double digits today. However, he urged continued vigilance, reminding that while progress has been made, the battle is not over.

Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho underscored the significance of World Polio Day. “We are on the verge of achieving something extraordinary — the complete eradication of polio. The provincial government is fully committed to using every available resource to ensure that every child receives the life-saving polio drops.”

While Sindh has seen significant progress, with only 12 cases reported this year, Dr Azra emphasised the importance of the upcoming National Immunisation Days campaign. “Starting October 28, every child under the age of five will receive polio vaccines along with Vitamin A supplements to boost immunity.”

Special attention will be given to high-risk districts and hard-to-reach communities, with thousands of frontline workers participating in the campaign.

Emergency Operations Centre Sindh Coordinator Irshad Ali Sodhar praised the dedication of health workers. “Our health workers are the backbone of the polio eradication effort. Despite challenges, their resolve to protect every child is inspiring.”

During the meeting of the task force, the CM was briefed on the current situation: 10.6 million children under five would be targeted with the oral polio vaccine in all 30 districts of Sindh; additionally, 9.5 million children between the ages of six months and five years would receive vitamin A capsules.

The campaign will begin in Mirpurkhas Division on October 25 and will be extended to the remaining 27 districts on October 28, with 80,000 frontline workers participating. During the last campaign, 30 per cent of the children were initially missed, but 48 per cent of those missed were later tracked down and vaccinated.

Shah urged all parents to ensure their children are administered the polio vaccine, stressing the critical role of community cooperation in eradicating the disease. At the World Polio Day event, the CM, provincial ministers and other officials administered polio drops to children and distributed gifts as part of the celebration.