PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterates commitment to eradicate polio

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the government was pursuing a comprehensive strategy, backed by an effective team, to eradicate polio from the country at the earliest.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Dr Chris Elias, president for global development at the Gates Foundation, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House along with a delegation.

“Pakistan would continue its efforts, with the support of trusted partners such as the Gates Foundation, until the disease is completely eradicated from the country,” the prime minister said.

He expressed gratitude for the cooperation of Micrsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and acknowledged the support of brotherly Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, in anti-polio efforts.

“The invaluable services of Bill Gates for the eradication of polio from Pakistan will always be remembered,” he said.

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While noting significant progress in the fight against the disease, the prime minister said further urgent measures remained essential. He said the federal government was working in close coordination with the provinces to ensure access for polio teams across the country and that relevant projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) would continue.

He also directed the federal health ministry to formulate recommendations, in coordination with relevant institutions, to strengthen public awareness and ensure the supply of vaccines for polio eradication.

Dr Elias said the Gates Foundation highly appreciated the prime minister’s personal focus on polio eradication and the practical steps taken by the government. “Pakistan is moving steadily towards the goal of complete eradication and that consultations with federal and provincial governments and relevant institutions would continue,” he said.

He added that effective measures had been taken to reduce the environmental presence of the polio virus and to ensure access for vaccination teams in all areas.

The visiting delegation included Gates Foundation Polio Director Dr Kathy Neuzil and Polio Deputy Director Michael Galway. Dr Elias expressed confidence in Pakistan’s anti-polio campaign and conveyed best wishes to the prime minister on Gates’ behalf.

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Plannin Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.

Iqbal briefed the delegation on PSDP initiatives related to polio eradication, while Farooq outlined ongoing anti-polio efforts across provinces and cities.

The prime minister also congratulated Dr Neuzil on her recent appointment and extended his best wishes.

Health minister reiterates polio eradication as national priority

Kamal separately held a high-level meeting with the delegation to review progress and measures taken towards polio eradication.

The meeting included a detailed discussion on steps taken so far and the progress achieved.

The health minister said polio eradication was a national priority under the leadership of the prime minister and that the government was ensuring the implementation of all necessary measures to achieve this goal.

Highlighting recent achievements, he said Pakistan had made significant progress over the past year through a coordinated nationwide strategy, with a particular focus on high-risk areas, including southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said he personally monitored the polio programme, visited high-risk areas and coordinated closely with provincial governments to ensure integrated efforts.

Dr Elias, who also chairs the Polio Oversight Board, commended Pakistan’s efforts and reaffirmed continued global collaboration in the fight against polio.

On the occasion, the health minister stressed the need for intensified and coordinated measures in Karachi and southern K-P, and assured the delegation at Pakistan would fulfil its national responsibility by providing the required financial resources.