Hyderabad: A meeting of the Divisional Task Force on Polio, chaired by Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayaz Hussain Abbasi, was held at the Divisional Commissioner Secretariat Hyderabad to review arrangements, security measures, preparedness and potential challenges for the Polio Booster Dose Campaign scheduled from August 20 to 31, 2026.
The meeting was attended by SSP Hyderabad Shahzaib Chachar, Additional Deputy Commissioner-II Mehwish Buriro, DHO Hyderabad Dr Pir Ghulam Hussain, CDC Staff Officer Dr Lubna, police officials, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant officers. Deputy Commissioners from various districts of the division participated through video link.
Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayaz Hussain Abbasi said the Polio Booster Dose Campaign was aimed at strengthening immunity against polio among children aged six months to 10 years. He explained that routine anti-polio drops are administered orally to children under five years of age, while the booster dose would be administered through a jet injector.
The Commissioner Hyderabad directed all stakeholders to remain fully engaged and ensure effective coordination throughout the campaign. He stressed that any challenges or obstacles arising during the campaign should be addressed through timely coordination and a positive, solution-oriented approach.
He said refusals by some parents or institutions could emerge during the campaign and directed officials to take proactive measures through effective awareness and communication to prevent any untoward situation. He also directed that taluka-level focal persons be designated in sensitive districts to strengthen field monitoring and ensure timely reporting to the Divisional Secretariat.
The Commissioner Hyderabad further directed the District Administration and Health Department Hyderabad to issue formal letters to private schools to address any concerns or misconceptions regarding the campaign. He emphasised that awareness campaigns, training sessions, seminars and community and media engagement should continue across the division to ensure maximum public participation and understanding.
Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) briefed the meeting that the environmental surveillance situation in the division had shown significant improvement. They said environmental samples in Hyderabad had remained negative for the past four months, while one polio case had been reported from district Sujawal. The number of positive environmental samples had also declined significantly compared with the previous year.
The WHO representatives said that 119 out of 501 union councils across the division had been identified for focused implementation of the booster dose campaign. They added that a 2, 359-member human resource had been prepared for the campaign and readiness meetings had been completed across the division.
The meeting was informed that contingency strategies were being developed to address possible refusals and access-related challenges, particularly in flood-affected areas of Dadu and Jamshoro districts. The need to ensure the availability of essential equipment, including jet injectors and buffers, was also highlighted.
SSP Hyderabad Shahzaib Chachar assured the meeting of full police support for the campaign and said personnel would be deployed to provide security, including female police officers where required.
DHO Hyderabad Dr Pir Ghulam Hussain said preparations for the campaign had been completed in all 70 union councils of Hyderabad. He said some schools had expressed reservations, but awareness sessions were being conducted to address their concerns. He expressed confidence that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.
Deputy Commissioners of Jamshoro, Dadu, Thatta, Sujawal, Tando Muhammad Khan, Matiari , T. A and Badin participated through video link and briefed the meeting on campaign preparations, security arrangements and challenges in their respective districts. They assured the Commissioner Hyderabad of their full cooperation and readiness for the successful implementation of the Polio Booster Dose Campaign.
