The Chief Minister (CM) of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, stated the ruling government is committed to eradicating poliovirus, that currently found in 20 districts, with 13 confirmed polio cases in the province.

In a follow-up meeting with UNICEF Representative Abdullah Fadil and UN Resident Coordinator Mohammad Yahya, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah stressed that the provincial government’s focus on addressing polio in high-risk areas like Karachi, Shikarpur, Sujawal, and Ghotki.

The latest polio case was reported on October 15 in Ghotki, and 66 percent of environmental sites tested in Sindh show positive results for the poliovirus.

Sindh’s Emergency Operations Center and local health teams are actively mobilizing resources to protect children under five years of age.

UNICEF’s Abdullah Fadil acknowledged the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy and praised the Sindh government’s Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) efforts to raise awareness and encourage vaccination.

CM Murad Ali Shah noted that parliamentarians have been enlisted to support vaccination teams in areas with high refusal rates.

Murad Shah also highlighted Sindh’s extensive surveillance network, comprising 124 environmental monitoring sites, one of the largest globally, to facilitate rapid detection and response to polio cases.

The CM said that his government’s efforts are supported by global partners who are committed to achieving Pakistan’s goal of a polio-free nation.

Sindh’s leadership in implementing targeted and sustainable polio eradication initiatives continues to set a precedent, ensuring a healthier, polio-free future for the children of Pakistan.