Integrating Polio SIAs with other Health Interventions in Sindh, Pakistan: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

Polio eradication remains a critical global health goal, with Pakistan being one of the few countries where wild poliovirus transmission persists (WHO, 2021). Despite decades of interventions under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI, 2024), progress is impeded by vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and weak health infrastructure. Karachi, Sindh’s urban hub, faces persistent immunization gaps, particularly in high-risk union councils (UCs) (CDC, 2023). This study evaluates the feasibility and impact of integrating polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) with other essential services—including maternal care, sanitation, nutrition, and routine immunization—in eight high-risk UCs of Karachi. Using a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, the research explores barriers and enablers to successful integration (GPEI, 2024b). It examines whether this model can reduce vaccine refusals, build community trust, and improve health access in resource-constrained settings (UNICEF, 2023). Findings inform scalable strategies that not only enhance polio coverage but also strengthen the broader healthcare system (GPEI, 2024a). The study contributes evidence toward the global eradication agenda by promoting equity-based, community-driven integration models applicable to other polio-endemic regions.