By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: The Deputy Commissioner of Sukkur, Dr. MB Raja Dharejo, has convened a critical meeting focused on the anti-polio campaign, reflecting an urgent response to the rising number of polio cases in Pakistan. This third meeting within two weeks aimed to meticulously review the Union Council-level micro-plans for the upcoming campaign scheduled from October 28 to November 3. The intensified efforts come against a backdrop of persistent polio virus detection in environmental samples in Sukkur, which has raised alarm among health authorities, prompting a high alert across the district.
In his address, Dr. Dharejo emphasized the necessity for all district health authorities, including the Health Department, People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), and other relevant departments, to take the campaign seriously. He underscored the zero tolerance policy for any lapses, warning that strict legal actions would be enforced against anyone submitting fraudulent data. Accountability measures for polio teams were highlighted, with the Deputy Commissioner indicating that those found wanting would face immediate dismissal.
A significant part of the strategy involves identifying parents who refuse polio vaccinations for their children. Dr. Dharejo directed that these families should be promptly counseled to encourage compliance with vaccination efforts. He also called on Assistant Commissioners to bolster the monitoring of polio teams, assuring that he would personally supervise the campaign across all tehsils in Sukkur.
In the meeting, it was reported that 1,279 polio teams have been established, comprising 1,132 mobile and 94 fixed-point teams. The demographic analysis revealed that Sukkur district hosts a significant number of migrant families, totaling 7,992, with 11,780 children under five years old among them.
