KARACHI, Oct 06 (APP):Thr Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to eradicating polio and strengthening routine immunisation during a meeting with a six-member Gates Foundation delegation led by Mr Greg Widmyer, Director of Immunization. The meeting reviewed efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission, improve vaccination coverage and reach children among mobile and migrant populations. Particular attention was given to vaccination at transit points to ensure …
Sindh, Gates Foundation discuss eradication of Polio
KARACHI, Oct 06 (APP):Thr Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to eradicating polio and strengthening routine immunisation during a meeting with a six-member Gates Foundation delegation led by Mr Greg Widmyer, Director of Immunization.
The meeting reviewed efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission, improve vaccination coverage and reach children among mobile and migrant populations. Particular attention was given to vaccination at transit points to ensure that children travelling between areas receive protection against polio.
The Chief Secretary said that polio eradication remained the government’s foremost priority. He stated that the Chief Minister Sindh, the provincial Health Minister and he himself were closely involved in overseeing anti-polio campaigns and reviewing progress.
He emphasised the importance of continuity in field operations, saying that transfers of officials involved in polio campaigns were discouraged during campaigns to maintain effective implementation and accountability.
Appreciating the Gates Foundation’s support, Asif Hyder Shah said its assistance had contributed to the province’s efforts against polio. He stressed the importance of sustained cooperation to reach every eligible child and strengthen routine immunisation alongside polio vaccination campaigns.
Briefing the delegation on measures to improve routine immunisation, the Chief Secretary said the provincial government had hired vaccinators to expand vaccination coverage. He emphasised the need to reach children, who had missed vaccinations, particularly those belonging to mobile and migrant families.
He also informed the delegation about the provincial government’s birth registration initiative, which aims to achieve 100 per cent birth registration.
He highlighted the initiative’s relevance to identifying children and supporting the planning and delivery of essential services, including immunisation.
The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Coordinator briefed the meeting on polio surveillance and reported that 28 of the 29 environmental samples in Karachi had tested negative for poliovirus. He described the findings as an encouraging indication of the quality of vaccination campaigns and routine immunisation efforts.
The Gates Foundation delegation assured the Sindh government of its continued support for polio eradication and the strengthening of routine immunisation. The meeting emphasised sustained coordination, focused outreach to mobile populations and consistent vaccination coverage to advance the shared goal of a polio-free Sindh.
