Karachi Fearing another outbreak of polio in Karachi, the Sindh government on Thursday constituted the “Karachi Task Force for Polio Eradication” under the leadership of Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui to immediately develop and monitor an action plan for countering spread of the crippling virus. International experts had warned of a polio outbreak next summer if its prevalence was not curtailed this winter, which is a low-transmission season for the virus. In lieu of the warning, two new polio cases were reported from the city in October and November consecutively. The task force comprises Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Mehar, health secretary Saeed Mangnejo, Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator in Sindh Dr Usman Chachar, special secretary home, provincial manager of Expanded Programme of Immunization, representatives of Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers, representatives from Unicef and WHO, all deputy commissioners, Director Health Karachi Dr Zafar Aijaz and all district health officers. The task force has been set up on the orders of the Sindh Chief Secretary Muhammad Siddique Memon to address the specific challenges being faced in polio eradication in Karachi. A notification issued by the provincial government on Thursday stated the task force was immediately expected to develop and monitor an action plan for polio eradication in the city. The task force is also expected to ensure adequate preparations on each and every vaccination campaign, including ensuring sound operational plans supplemented by adequate security arrangements through the district and security coordination committees, well in advance of every immunization drive in the city. The task force has also been mandated to review the progress of every campaign, to be presented by respective districts under the guidance of EOC Sindh and take corrective measures where required. Moreover, the task force will also ensure strict accountability and action against delinquent officials and submit a report to the chief secretary after every campaign from December 2015. The notification issued further directs all government departments of the provincial government to offer their support to the task force, while the chairman of the task force can co-opt any member when required in order to achieve polio eradication goals. An official of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Sindh told The News that an emergency meeting of the Karachi Task Force for Polio Eradication will be held on November 30 and will be attended by all stakeholders to chalk out a new strategy.
