Pakistan has declared that efforts towards the eradication of polio have achieved significant success. This was said by Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan while addressing “Reaching the Last Mile” Forum related to polio at COP28 Summit in Dubai.
The minister said that a support of US$100 million has been obtained from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the eradication of polio, which is a major accomplishment.
Dr Nadeem Jan expressed special gratitude to the Islamic Development Bank, the UAE, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their support in providing assistance for the eradication of polio.
Dr Nadeem Jan pledged full determination for the eradication of polio from Pakistan. The grant allocated for the eradication of polio is being efficiently utilized, ensuring effective expenditure, he emphasized.
The health minister said that they are ensuring the fulfillment of the desired objectives for the eradication of polio with utmost certainty. For the eradication of polio, existing resources will be utilized in line with the broader agenda of Global Health Security, he said.
The minister emphasized that our strategy for the eradication of polio is based on four practical pillars; the first pillar involves collaboration and engagement with all stakeholders, the second pillar focuses on integration while the third pillar is innovation and fourth is investment sensitive operations.
Dr Nadeem Jan said the government is working under an integrated strategy to eradicate polio in Pakistan. He expressed these views during a meeting with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Co-Chairman Bill Gates in Dubai.
Dr Nadeem Jan informed about the ongoing polio vaccination campaign in
Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is ensuring all the necessary measures to eradicate the polio virus.
The caretaker minister said that steps are being taken to ensure 100 percent vaccine access to children in Pakistan. Bill Gates praised the health minister’s comprehensive plan.
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan had reported its sixth polio case of 2023 after a nine-month-old child in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’sOrakzai district became the latest victim of the crippling disease.
The Ministry of Health had confirmed that the polio virus was found in a 9-month-old child in Orakzai district.—NNI
