
CM stresses urgency, accountability in anti-polio drives
Minister for Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and In-charge EOC Irshad Sodhar gave a detailed briefing to the Chief Minister on the upcoming anti-polio drive.
Polio remains a threat
The CM said that polio continues to pose a threat that cripples our children. "We are making all-out efforts and convening Provincial Task Force meetings regularly to send a clear and loud message to the entire administration to launch campaigning as a mission," he said. Health Minister Dr Azra informed the CM that 10 wild polio cases have been reported in Pakistan so far in 2025, including four from Sindh. Additionally, 11 out of 35 sewage samples collected between April 7 and April 24 tested positive for wild poliovirus, indicating continued virus circulation.
May campaign targets
The May campaign will reach over 10.6 million children under the age of five across 1,292 Union Councils in all 30 districts of Sindh. The operation will be supported by more than 80,000 trained frontline workers and 25,539 law enforcement personnel, including female constables.
Tackling refusals
To address persistent challenges in high-risk areas, especially in Karachi, 157 doctors have been deployed to target 6,780 sick refusals. The CM directed to activate the Refusal Conversion Committees (RCCs) in the defaulting UCs.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business Recorder
World Population Day: Message from Hafeezullah Abbasi, Secretary Population Welfare Department, Government of Sindh
Population Welfare Department Sindh commemorates World Population Day on 11th July to raise awareness about the adverse impacts of the province's high population growth rate, currently at 2.5%. This day highlights the need for sustainable population management and the wide-ranging benefits of smaller family sizes, including improved health, education, economic stability, climate resilience, and a better quality of life. Under the leadership of Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Health and Population Welfare Sindh, the department has undertaken several key initiatives to strengthen family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) services: Digitalization of Client Data: The department transitioned from paper-based client registration to a real-time Electronic Client Record (ECR) system, enabling evidence-based decision-making. All PWDS service delivery points (SDPs) are now on ECR, while PPHI and DoH would be reporting fully on ECR these years. Contraceptive Commodity Security: Despite import and foreign exchange challenges, PWDS continues annual contraceptive procurement under a pooled provincial model, ensuring supply for all public and private stakeholders. Post Partum Family Planning: PPFP/ PAFP services are introduced at tertiary hospitals of Health Department. Population Welfare Department Sindh provides training and contraceptives to all Tertiary Care Hospitals of Sindh. The Counsellors, hired by vital Pakistan international, are available 24/7 there to counsel the families to seek PPFP/PAFF services. Functional Integration: The functional integration with public and private sectors is streamlined for providing Family planning services. Visibility and Accessibility of Service Delivery Points: 230 FWCs are branded resulting in improved visibility of Family Welfare Centers and increase in FP client's number. With the support of private partner(TCI/Green Star)the facilities are made over in Hyderabad and Karachi. Monitoring System: Traditional report-based Monitoring Mechanism is improved by introducing modern electronic and real time web-based Monitoring system under mHealth scheme. Awareness Sessions: For spreading meaningful awareness regarding benefits of Family Planning, department has made a structured plan to conduct awareness sessions in universities, colleges, and higher secondary schools to sensitize youth. Public Private Partnership: Population Welfare Department Sindh fully supports public private partnership in terms of family planning services. NGOs, private health networks and private health facilities are registered to provide FP services. 428 private partners are registered. Male engagement and Social Male Mobilization: The Social Male Mobilizers are activated. Male Moblisers strategy and Male engagement Strategy are prepared with the support of Jhpiego and Pathfinder respectively. Willows International is collaborating as a result over 3,236 NSV (Non-Scalpel Vasectomy) cases performed in 2 years.1213 cases in 2025 alone - showing growing male participation. In Larkana 109 cases have been performed in the last 2 months. On this occasion, I extend my sincere appreciation to the entire PWDS team and our valued partners for their dedication and contribution. Together, we remain committed to upholding reproductive rights and addressing the demographic challenges faced by Sindh. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Budget debate focuses on govt's performance
The Sindh Assembly continued its debate on the provincial budget for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday. The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, focused on the government's ongoing efforts to improve public services, uplift living standards, and address core issues across the province. Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho shared her department's performance in detail. She highlighted that 19 chest pain units are currently operating in Karachi. She also announced plans to procure CT scan and MRI machines and improve ICU facilities in public hospitals. The minister dismissed rumors that Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) has been handed over to any NGO. MQM-Pakistan MPA Iftikhar Alam criticised the Sindh government, claiming discriminatory treatment towards Karachi. He questioned the necessity of the billion-rupee Karimabad underpass. He demanded a district-level revenue distribution formula similar to the NFC Award. Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah criticised the federal government's economic survey, alleging that outdated data was used to misrepresent Sindh's performance. Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar outlined various initiatives taken to improve law and order in the province. He mentioned a noticeable decline in several categories of crime compared to previous years. According to the minister, 7,441 mobile phones were snatched in the past year, but the frequency of such incidents has dropped.


Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Sindh PA budget debate: Treasury dismisses opposition's claims as ‘unfounded'
KARACHI: Treasury ministers in the Sindh Assembly firmly dismissed opposition claims about the 2025–26 fiscal budget as unfounded, using Saturday's session to outline key achievements and unveil future plans for their respective departments. With Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed chairing the budget session that has entered fifth consecutive day, a number of provincial cabinet members and lawmakers actively defended the government's fiscal priorities and highlighted achievements across key sectors including health, irrigation, education, policing and urban development. In her address, Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho highlighted the provincial government's firm commitment to improving public healthcare infrastructure. She revealed that Karachi now boasts 19 fully operational Chest Pain Units, significantly enhancing the city's emergency response capacity. The upcoming fiscal year's budget earmarks Rs1.12 billion for the procurement of advanced CT scan and MRI machines, a move aimed at strengthening diagnostic services across Sindh. The minister also announced a strategic partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital to upgrade Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities in government-run hospitals. Thanks to sustained efforts, the province has seen a noticeable drop in maternal mortality rates during childbirth, while immunization coverage has reached an impressive 90 percent. Updating the House on development work, she said 21 healthcare schemes are currently being executed in Karachi alone. Addressing circulating rumors, Dr. Pechuho categorically denied that the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) was being handed over to any NGO, calling such reports 'completely baseless.' Barbs fly during Sindh assembly budget session Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro criticized opposition lawmakers for not reading the budget documents prior to protesting. 'Had they done so, much of the opposition noise could've been avoided,' he said. Shoro highlighted that Sindh won its case on canal water rights in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) under Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah's leadership. Recalling urban transformation efforts, Shoro stated: 'When we took over Karachi, it was drowning in garbage. Today, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Gizri, Tariq Road, and the Drigh Road underpass are proof of progress under Murad Ali Shah.' He also cited Hyderabad's new landfill site and Autobahn Road as PPP-led successes. 'Sindh has built 200 dams,' he claimed. 'Yet, despite Pakistan's looming water and climate crisis, the federal government refuses to release funds for the Gaj Dam.' On Sukkur Barrage, Shoro mentioned that 16 gates have been replaced so far — an engineering feat once thought impossible without draining the river. Opposition MPA Iftikhar Alam from MQM criticized the provincial government for neglecting Karachi, likening its treatment to that of a 'stepchild.' He slammed the construction of the Karimabad underpass, calling it unnecessary and built without proper consultation. He also proposed that districts should receive funds through a formula akin to the NFC Award granted by the federal government. Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah while extending birthday wishes to late Benazir Bhutto, acknowledged post-flood challenges, admitting that 20,000 schools remain closed while only 5,000 have reopened. However, he rejected claims that 7.8 million children were out of school, stating the number is actually 6.2 million, with 5.5 million currently enrolled in government institutions. An additional 11.5 million students are enrolled in private schools and Madressahs. Sardar detailed plans to set up IT labs in 136 schools, build two new colleges in Karachi, and upgrade all 155 existing public colleges. 'From the next fiscal year, funds for 34,000 schools will go directly to headmasters,' he announced. He also criticized the federal government's Economic Survey, accusing it of misrepresenting Sindh by reusing outdated data. 'Appreciate Punjab if you must, but don't distort Sindh's progress,' he said. Interior and Law Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar provided a granular look at law and order trends. He noted a reduction in street crimes: 7,441 mobile phones were snatched this year, down from previous highs. Car thefts declined from 586 last year to 558 this year, and murder rates have halved—from 2.6 daily deaths to one. Anti-crime efforts included engaging scrap dealers to curb thefts and launching operations against narcotics. Over 8,000 drug peddlers were arrested in Karachi alone. 'We are forming a provincial narcotics force and will set up 10 special drug courts in Karachi,' Lanjar said. On the Safe City project, he reported that 1,300 cameras have been installed, with plans to expand the initiative to Larkana, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. The current police strength stands at 171,000, with all new recruitments conducted on merit. Provincial Minister for Energy and Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah commended the Chief Minister's 'people-friendly' budget. 'This year, we've completed 760 schemes — a national record,' he claimed. He dismissed the opposition's claim that Karachi lacks mega projects, pointing to numerous entries in the budget book. 'Even areas where PPP doesn't have a single councilor are receiving development projects,' he said. Shah highlighted the K-IV water project and a solar power distribution program under which 200,000 solar home systems have been received. 'We'll cover installation and transport costs too,' he added. Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla revealed a dramatic rise in tax collection, from Rs7.29 billion in 2008 to over Rs200 billion today. This year's budget eliminates three major taxes: professional tax, entertainment tax and cotton tax. New traffic regulations are also on the horizon. By August 14, all outdated number plates must be replaced, and old tax books will be retired. Vehicle data will now be integrated with traffic police systems to ensure compliance. Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani said 1,138 schemes were initiated last year, of which 424 have been completed. Of the total Rs131 billion in local government schemes, Rs104 billion are dedicated to Karachi. 'There are 52 mega projects currently underway with a cost of Rs72 billion. Just in Korangi, Shahrah-e-Bhutto is a Rs54 billion project,' he informed the House, adding that both the Korangi Interchange and Shahrah-e-Bhutto will be completed this December. Refuting opposition accusations of bias, Saeed Ghani said: 'The budget documents don't support the claim that we've only funded areas that elected PPP candidates.' Following the intensive debate, the assembly session was adjourned until Monday at 9:30 am. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025