Pakistan vows renewed fight against polio as Prime Minister pledges sustained vaccination and awareness campaigns in partnership with the Gates Foundation
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met with Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, and his delegation on Wednesday to review Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio and to explore avenues for continued collaboration with international partners.
The meeting, held in Islamabad, underscored the government’s determination to tackle one of the country’s most persistent public health challenges. During the discussions, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eliminating polio, emphasizing that the country would continue its vaccination and awareness campaigns in close cooperation with trusted partners such as the Gates Foundation.
PM Shahbaz expressed deep appreciation for the foundation’s long-standing support, noting that the contributions of Bill Gates had left a lasting impact on the country’s public health initiatives. In addition, he acknowledged the role of Muslim brother countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, in supporting Pakistan’s polio eradication program.
Shahbaz Sharif outlined the government’s comprehensive strategy, highlighting that while considerable progress had been achieved, there remained a pressing need for intensified measures to fully rid the country of the disease. He stressed that the federal government was working in close coordination with provincial authorities to ensure that vaccination teams could reach every corner of the country, including remote and previously inaccessible areas.
The prime minister also reiterated that polio vaccination programs would continue to be supported under the Public Sector Development Program, reflecting a structured and sustained approach to disease prevention. In addition, he directed the Federal Ministry of Health to liaise with all relevant institutions to develop detailed recommendations for improving polio prevention, public awareness, and vaccine delivery.
These measures, the PM said, were critical to ensuring the nationwide success of the eradication campaign and protecting children from a preventable but potentially crippling disease. Chris Elias, speaking during the meeting, lauded Pakistan’s proactive stance and the personal attention of the prime minister to polio eradication. He noted that the country was moving in the right direction and praised the constructive consultations taking place between federal and provincial authorities.
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