Progress in Polio Eradication Is Meaningless Until Virus Is Completely Eliminated: Syed Mustafa Kamal

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that Pakistan has come a long way in its efforts to eradicate polio and significant progress has been made, but all improvements will remain meaningless until the virus is completely eliminated from the country.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Haider at the Chief Secretary House in Karachi. Joint Secretary (FC&I) Anwar-ul-Haq also participated in the meeting online from Islamabad.

The meeting discussed polio eradication efforts in Sindh, the provision of immunisation services and measures to improve child health.

Mustafa Kamal stressed the need to give special attention to polio vaccination and routine immunisation at the time of birth registration to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.

The importance of environmental surveillance in monitoring and preventing the spread of the poliovirus was also discussed.

Participants reviewed measures to improve immunisation services through 114 Basic Health Units (BHUs) across Sindh.

Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Haider said the poliovirus remained a challenging threat as it continued to evolve, making it necessary to further strengthen and improve strategies for its complete eradication.

The meeting also discussed issues related to stunted growth among children and maternal malnutrition, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to improve maternal and child health.