The target is set to administer polio drops to 10.6 million children across the province
KARACHI:
The last anti-polio campaign of the year in Sindh begins today (on Monday). During the seven-day campaign, more than 10 million children across the province will be administered polio drops.
According to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Sindh, the last anti-polio drive of the year will start today and will continue till December 21. During the seven-day campaign, a target has been set to administer polio drops to 10.6 million children across the province.
EPI Sindh stated that wild poliovirus type 2 was eradicated in 2015 and type 3 in 2019; however, wild poliovirus type 1 is still present and remains the most common and dangerous strain.
According to the Sindh Health Department, 23 cases of polio were reported from Sindh in 2024, while nine cases have been reported so far this year. These cases were reported from Badin, Larkana, Qambar, Thatta, Umerkot and Hyderabad districts.
In addition, the presence of poliovirus has been confirmed in 233 environmental samples in Sindh. EPI Sindh said foolproof security arrangements have been made during the campaign, with more than 80,000 security personnel to be deployed.
Karachi’s administration is finalizing arrangements
The Karachi administration has finalized the arrangements for the polio eradication campaign to be started from Monday, December 21. During the drive, more than 2.1 million children will receive polio drops and 26,000 polio workers will perform their duties. Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has said that the city administration along with EOC, Ministry of Health, UNICEF and other international organizations have planned the campaign to ensure effective implementation and achieve the set targets. It was decided that all institutions will make coordinated efforts to achieve the goal.
