Islamabad, January 9, 2018: Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that all stakeholders should work hard for eradication of polio and save the children from disability.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of Provincial Task Force for Polio in Karachi on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by MNA Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Health Minister Dr Sikandar Mendhro,, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, IGP AD Khowaja, Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Mr. Adl IG Karachi Mushtaq Mahar, all divisional commissioners, PM’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq and NEOC Coordinator Dr. Rana Safdar.
Briefing the Chief Minister, Provincial Coordinator for Polio Eradication Fayaz Jatoi said that the first polio case of 2017 was detected in August in UC-13 Gulshan-e-Iqbal and another case emerged in November 2017 in UC-4 Gadap, Karachi.
The chief minister was told that in 2014, there 30 polio cases in the province, including 23 in Karachi. In 2015 the polio cases came down to 12 with seven in the city and in 2016 8 cases were detected, including one in Karachi and in 2017 only two cases have been detected and both were in the city.
Talking about environmental samples taken from different areas/cities for detecting polio virus, Mr jatoi said that Sukkur city showed positive report in September in 2017, New Sukkur in April, Jacobabad in August and September and then in November, Kambar positive in August, 2017.
The areas of Karachi which showed polio positive reports include Sohrab Goth, Machhar Colony, Khamiso Goth (Gadap Town), Chaora Nala, Rashid Minhas (Gulshan Town), Mohammad Khan Colony of Baldia Town, Bakhtawar village – Landhi, Orangi nala area of SITE Town and Korangi Nala area.
The areas of Karachi that showed polio-positive reports include Sohrab Goth, Machhar Colony, Khamiso Goth in Gadap Town, Chaora Nala, Rashid Minhas in Gulshan Town, Mohammad Khan Colony in Baldia Town, Bakhtawar village – the Landhi, Orangi Nullah area of SITE Town – and the Korangi Nullah area, added Jatoi.
CM directed the concerned ministries and departments to prioritize provisions of sanitation and safe drinking water in 30 identified low performing UCs in Karachi.