ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed optimism regarding the collaborative efforts between the government, global partners, and national institutions to eradicate polio from the country in the near future.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), led by Dr. Christopher Elias, Chair of the Polio Oversight Board and President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Development Division, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating this debilitating disease.
He directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to launch a joint awareness campaign in partnership with the GPEI and emphasized the need for accountability within institutions involved in polio eradication to ensure transparency.
Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz assured full security coverage for vaccination teams and commended Saudi Arabia’s $500 million donation for polio eradication during the World Economic Forum.
Highlighting the importance of Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation in regional polio eradication efforts, the Prime Minister underscored the necessity of joint action to eradicate polio from the region.
The delegation briefed the Prime Minister on current polio eradication measures and praised the government’s determination to combat the disease. They also highlighted challenges encountered during immunization efforts.
Dr. Christopher conveyed Bill Gates’s satisfaction with the anti-polio initiatives undertaken during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenures as Chief Minister of Punjab.
The meeting was attended by various dignitaries including regional directors from EMRO and UNICEF, representatives from the Centers for Disease Control, WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, along with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, State Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s Coordinator on Health Mukhtar Malik, and other senior officials.
