Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has formally inaugurated a seven-day polio vaccination campaign across the province, appealing strongly to parents and guardians to ensure that their children receive polio drops to protect them from the crippling disease.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Karachi, the Chief Minister said that the province-wide campaign, starting from December 15, will continue for seven days and will cover 30 districts of Sindh. According to him, the campaign will be conducted in 1,345 union councils, with a target of vaccinating approximately 10.6 million children against polio.
Murad Ali Shah emphasized that polio is a preventable disease and that the global community has successfully eradicated it through consistent vaccination efforts. “The entire world has eliminated polio through such campaigns,” he said, adding that it is a matter of embarrassment that polio still exists only in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He stressed that there is only one effective solution to this problem: ensuring that every child receives polio drops during vaccination drives.
The Chief Minister further noted that many Muslim countries have also successfully eradicated polio by vaccinating their children, dismissing misconceptions and resistance associated with the vaccine. “Other Islamic countries have eliminated this disease by administering polio drops to children. There is no reason for us to lag behind,” he stated.
Highlighting the recent situation, Murad Ali Shah revealed that polio virus was confirmed in 30 children last year, out of which nine cases were reported from Sindh. He pointed out that although the disease had significantly declined in previous years, it has unfortunately seen a resurgence in recent times due to gaps in immunization coverage, vaccine refusals, and access issues in certain areas.
He underlined the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges through coordinated efforts involving health authorities, district administrations, and law enforcement agencies. “We had made considerable progress in reducing polio cases, but over the past few years, the numbers have increased again. This is why continuous and effective vaccination campaigns are absolutely necessary,” he said.
The Chief Minister also praised the efforts of frontline health workers who play a crucial role in the success of polio eradication drives. He informed that more than 80,000 frontline workers will take part in the current campaign, going door to door to vaccinate children. To ensure their safety, especially in sensitive areas, over 21,000 security personnel have been deployed across the province.
Acknowledging the risks faced by polio workers, Murad Ali Shah stressed that their protection is a top priority for the provincial government. “These workers are serving the nation by protecting future generations from disability. Ensuring their safety is our collective responsibility,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, the Sindh Chief Minister made a heartfelt appeal to parents, elders, and community leaders to fully cooperate with vaccination teams. He urged families not to refuse polio drops and to help health workers by allowing them access to their homes. “I appeal to parents and the general public to make sure that their children receive polio drops during this campaign. Only with collective effort can we protect our children and finally eliminate polio from Pakistan,” he said.
