In a monumental step towards the eradication of polio, the Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with UNICEF, marked a historic milestone on Wednesday as they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a formal ceremony.
The journey to this moment began with the Government of Pakistan declaring a state of emergency in 2011, launching an unwavering effort to combat polio.
Substantial financial resources, including grants and loans, were channelled into the Polio Emergency Program.
During this crucial phase, the government committed $155 million to the cause and, in a testament to global solidarity, secured an additional $100 million in support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
Secretary National Health Services Iftikhar Shallwani expressed profound gratitude for this vital financial support.
The meticulous groundwork is evident as all necessary documentation was successfully completed, and IsDB recently formalized its commitment by signing the Murabaha agreement just two days ago.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Federal Secretary Iftikhar Shallwani made a priority call to UNICEF, leading to the signing of the MoU today.
This document paves the way for the procurement of vaccines critical to the Polio Emergency Program, bringing hope to countless lives.
The signing ceremony saw the Federal Secretary and the country representative of UNICEF exchange signed documents, cementing their shared vision to eliminate polio.
In a heartfelt expression of appreciation, the Federal Secretary extended gratitude to all individuals and organizations that have steadfastly supported this program during these critical times.
