The presence of poliovirus in an environmental sample in Ghotki has triggered an emergency response, with authorities announcing a four-day emergency immunization campaign in February aimed at reaching over 400,000 children and issuing a warning of strict legal action against anyone obstructing the campaign.
The decision was finalized on Wednesday in a high-level meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner Ghotki, Manzoor Ahmed Kanrani, to review the arrangements for the anti-polio campaign. He pointed out significant shortcomings, stating that although the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) records are complete on paper, “significant issues exist on the ground.”
Mr. Kanrani stressed that to make the polio eradication effort effective, “special attention needs to be paid to routine vaccination.” He directed the concerned officers to resolve the on-ground issues and instructed the Assistant Commissioners and the District Health Officer (DHO) to ensure robust and strict monitoring at the taluka and union council levels.
Issuing a clear threat to saboteurs, the Deputy Commissioner announced that “miscreants harassing polio workers will not be spared under any circumstances” and confirmed that strict legal action will be taken against any elements causing trouble for the vaccination teams.
During the briefing, N-STOP Officer Dr. Zaheer Domki confirmed to the meeting that poliovirus has been found in the environmental samples collected from Baggo Wah of Ghotki.
Dr. Domki informed the participants that the immunization campaign will run from February 2 to February 5, during which 407,302 children across the district will be administered polio drops.
The meeting emphasized the coordinated nature of the response, which was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner-I Tanveer Ahmed, DHO Dr. Rao Altaf, and representatives from partner organizations including Dr. Niaz from WHO and Dr. Raheem Gadani from UNICEF.