The campaign is targeting 1.037 million children across Karachi, a major undertaking aimed at preventing the potentially life-altering consequences of polio
By Ishaque Hashmi
KARACHI: In a decisive move to bolster the ongoing polio vaccination campaign, Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Haider Shah convened an emergency meeting at the Sindh Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). The meeting was attended by Commissioner of Karachi, deputy commissioners, and senior city officials, reflecting the high priority placed on this critical public health initiative.
Chief Secretary Shah opened the session by underscoring the urgency of achieving a 100 percent vaccination rate among children in Karachi. He highlighted that the eradication of polio in Pakistan is contingent upon the success of this campaign, which aims to protect the next generation from the debilitating disease. “The complete elimination of polio in Pakistan depends on the success of this campaign,” Shah declared, reinforcing the message that every child must be reached and vaccinated.
Irshad Sodhar, the EOC Coordinator, provided a comprehensive overview of the campaign’s goals and logistical challenges. The campaign is targeting 1.037 million children across Karachi, a major undertaking aimed at preventing the potentially life-altering consequences of polio. Sodhar urged parents and guardians to take an active role by ensuring their children receive the polio drops and vaccinations. He stressed, “Administer polio drops and vaccines to protect your children from permanent disability,” highlighting the critical nature of community involvement in achieving the campaign’s objectives.
The emergency meeting also addressed several operational aspects of the vaccination drive. Discussions focused on optimizing coordination among various administrative units and ensuring that vaccination teams are effectively deployed across all targeted Union Councils. The campaign will extend across 85 Union Councils of Karachi and is scheduled to run until August 25, providing a window for extensive outreach and vaccination efforts.
To support the campaign, additional resources and personnel are being mobilized to address any logistical hurdles and ensure that every child in the designated areas receives their polio vaccination. Public awareness initiatives are also being ramped up to educate and encourage parents about the importance of the vaccine.
The meeting concluded with a reinforced commitment to combating polio through rigorous implementation of the vaccination campaign and enhanced collaboration among city officials, healthcare workers, and community leaders. This comprehensive approach aims to safeguard the health of Karachi’s children and contribute significantly to the broader goal of polio eradication in Pakistan.
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