Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a meeting with Rotary International President Mr. Larry A. Lunsford at the CM House, reviewed ongoing efforts to eradicate polio in the province.
They declared that polio eradication remains one of the highest priorities of the Sindh government, noting that a sustained decline in environmental detections and the absence of a human polio case for more than five months indicate that the province’s anti-polio drive is on the right track.
‘The provincial government has stepped up efforts to strengthen routine immunisation and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases across Sindh, ‘ he said.
The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Secretary to CM Asif Jameel; acting Secretary Health Hafiz Abbasi, Shehryar Gul, and the EOC Coordinator Sindh. (from Rotary side) National Chair and Trustee Aziz Memon, Rotary District Governor Shahzad Sabir, District Governor-Elect Fahad Sikander; DGN Jabar Sheikh, PDG Salim Rao,
Welcoming the Rotary International President, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah thanked Rotary International for its unwavering support to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts and acknowledged the organisation’s longstanding partnership in safeguarding children’s health.
The Chief Minister briefed the delegation on the latest progress made under the Sindh Polio Programme and highlighted encouraging epidemiological indicators that suggest significant gains in interrupting virus transmission.
‘Polio eradication remains one of the highest priorities of the Sindh government. The encouraging decline in environmental detections and the absence of a human polio case for more than five months demonstrate that our collective efforts are moving in the right direction, ‘ said the Chief Minister.
He emphasised that the government remains fully committed to sustaining momentum until the virus is completely eliminated.
‘While the progress is encouraging, we are not complacent. Our focus is on reaching every child, particularly in high-risk and mobile populations. We will continue strengthening surveillance, routine immunisation, community engagement, and accountability mechanisms to ensure that no child is left behind, ‘ he added.
The Chief Minister informed the delegation that Sindh has significantly strengthened its polio programme through innovative interventions, including the Karachi Action Plan, extended-age vaccination campaigns, deployment of Union Council Immunisation Officers, enhanced surveillance systems, and stronger integration between the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and polio operations.
Sharing key achievements, officials noted that 8 out of 29 environmental surveillance sites in Sindh tested negative for poliovirus in June 2026, the highest level of negative results since June 2023. Sindh has also remained free from a confirmed human polio case since February 2026, when the last case was reported from Sujawal district.
The Chief Minister highlighted the successful extended-age fIPV plus OPV booster campaign in Karachi, under which approximately 2. 6 million children in 89 high-risk union councils were vaccinated. He said similar risk-based interventions are now being planned for other vulnerable areas of the province.
Mr Larry A. Lunsford commended the Sindh government, frontline workers, and partner organisations for the progress achieved against polio. ‘The progress being reported from Sindh is highly encouraging and reflects strong political commitment, effective programme management, and the dedication of thousands of frontline workers, ‘ said the Rotary International President.
He added, ‘Rotary International remains firmly committed to supporting Pakistan’s journey towards a polio-free future. The achievements in Sindh demonstrate what can be accomplished when governments, communities, and development partners work together with a shared purpose. ‘
Mr Lunsford particularly appreciated Sindh’s focus on community engagement, vaccine acceptance, surveillance strengthening, and innovative approaches to reaching missed and mobile children.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the provincial government has made substantial investments to sustain polio eradication gains and strengthen primary healthcare systems. He noted that Sindh has committed provincial resources for the deployment of Union Council Immunisation Officers, recruitment of Community Health Workers, expansion of water, sanitation and hygiene services, support for frontline workers, and integration of routine immunisation with broader maternal and child health programmes.
‘Polio eradication is not merely a health objective; it is a commitment to the future of our children. The Government of Sindh will continue to provide every possible support and resource required to achieve a polio-free Sindh and a polio-free Pakistan, ‘ the Chief Minister said.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to maintain close collaboration and accelerate efforts aimed at permanently interrupting poliovirus transmission throughout the province and the country.
