Daily Times

KARACHI: A supplementary immunisation activity to curb the menace of polio would kick off in 13 districts of Sindh from tomorrow (Monday), Sindh Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) said on Saturday.

According to Sindh EOC, the activity would continue from July 25-30. A spokesman of Sindh EOC said that during ‘sub-national supplementary immunisation activity’ total 3,363, 539 under-five children would
be targeted.

“Under the plan, the activity would be carried out in only 51 union councils of Karachi. Apart from Karachi, activity would also be carried out in 12 other districts of Sindh including Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Khairpur, Kamber, Jacobabad, Ghotki and Kashmore,” the spokesman added.

The authorities repeatedly have said that sincere efforts are being made to eradicate polio virus from the country by the end of this year, as poliovirus has seen decline in last three years.

Sources said that 13 cases have been reported in Pakistan this year as compared to previous two years figures with 306 in 2014 and 54 in 2015 adding that out of total 13 cases reported this year, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) stands highest with seven cases while Sindh being on second with four cases. On the other hand, there was one case each reported in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan, sources said.

According to End Polio Pakistan, Gaddap and Baldia areas of metropolis are considered as high risk. While Sanghar, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Dadu, Kambar and Karachi site areas fall in medium high risk category. On the other hand, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur and Gulsha-e-Iqbal of Karachi fall in low risk areas.