Sindh govt intensifies efforts as 66pc environmental sites test positive for poliovirus

Currently, 20 districts in Sindh are affected by poliovirus, with 13 confirmed polio cases in the province. However, the Sindh government remains fully committed to eradicating the virus, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah pledged on Tuesday.

Recent data shows that 66 per cent of environmental sampling sites in Sindh are positive for Wild Poliovirus 1, he said during a follow-up meeting with Unicef Representative Abdullah Fadil and UN Resident Coordinator Mohammad Yahya. Education Minister Sardar Shah, Secretary to the CM Raheem Shaikh, and other officials were also present.

“The Sindh government is focusing on curbing polio transmission, particularly in high-risk areas like Karachi and rural districts such as Shikarpur, Sujawal, and Ghotki,” he said, adding that the latest polio case was reported on October 15 in Ghotki. The CM noted that recent data reflects a 66 per cent positivity rate in tested environmental sites for the wild poliovirus across the province.

“Sindh’s Emergency Operations Center and local health teams are mobilizing resources and implementing targeted initiatives to protect children under five across the province,” he added.

Unicef’s Abdullah Fadil recognized vaccine hesitancy as a significant challenge and noted that the Sindh government’s strategic Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) programmes would help increase awareness and encourage vaccination. In response, the CM mentioned that he has engaged parliamentarians to support vaccination teams in areas with high refusal rates.

Shah highlighted that Sindh’s surveillance system, with 124 environmental monitoring sites, is among the largest globally. “Coordinated with routine immunization (RI) efforts, these surveillance sites play a vital role in quickly detecting and responding to new cases,” he said, adding that the upcoming vaccination campaigns in December are crucial, following successful drives in October and November.

The CM emphasized that the Sindh government’s efforts are backed by global partners dedicated to making Pakistan polio-free. Sindh’s leadership in implementing targeted and sustainable polio eradication efforts sets a standard, aiming to ensure a healthier, polio-free future for Pakistan’s children.