KARAHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Monday launched a seven-day polio eradication campaign across the province, aiming to vaccinate 10.6 million children under five years of age. The initiative, which runs from December 16 to December 22, began with Shah administering polio drops to children at NJV School, Karachi, emphasizing the urgency of ensuring every child is protected.
Sindh has reported 17 polio cases so far this year, while the nationwide total stands at 63 cases. The chief minister expressed concern over the continued detection of positive environmental samples, indicating active virus transmission in the region.
“This campaign is critical for halting the spread of the virus and preventing lifelong disabilities in children,” CM Shah said, adding that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the last two countries where the poliovirus is endemic. He reiterated the importance of collective efforts to eradicate it.
Around 80,000 frontline workers have been deployed for door-to-door vaccination, with 15,000 security personnel ensuring a safe environment. Shah urged parents to vaccinate their children during this final campaign of 2024.
Irshad Sodhar, provincial coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), encouraged families to contact the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 or WhatsApp at 0346-7776546 for support if any child missed vaccination.
Sodhar called on media, religious scholars, and community leaders to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination, stressing that a polio-free Sindh is crucial for a healthier future for Pakistan.
The launch ceremony was attended by key officials, including Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho, and other dignitaries, who administered polio drops to children during the event.
During his media talk, the chief minister reminisced about Shaheed Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s historic polio campaign in 1994, where she personally administered polio drops to her daughter, Assefa Bhutto Zardari, to demonstrate the vaccine’s safety and importance.
When asked about the PTI’s conduct, Shah criticised its unchanged approach despite repeated mistakes, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Their failure to learn has impacted governance, and prioritizing one individual over the welfare of people must stop,” he asserted.
Discussing the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, Shah emphasized that it is constitutionally required to be revised every five years. “Unfortunately, it has been 15 years since the last NFC award in 2010,” he said, adding that future revisions would rightfully increase the provinces’ shares.
On recent developments in Sindh’s law and order, he highlighted the government’s initiatives to develop areas cleared of dacoits. “We have directed the chief secretary to construct roads and reopen schools in Shikarpur, Ghotki, and Kashmore, where kidnappings for ransom have significantly declined,” he stated.
Regarding the proposal to construct new canals diverting water from the Indus River, Shah reiterated his party’s strong opposition. “The federal government has paused further action on this matter, and our stance remains firm,” he concluded.
The campaign launch and Shah’s statements underscored the Sindh government’s focus on health, law and order, and development while prioritizing polio eradication to safeguard future generations.
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