Zubair Qureshi
The Government of Japan provides US$ 4.5 million grant aid to support the supply of the essential oral polio vaccine. This vaccine will enable the programme to reach more than 20 million under five children in Pakistan during vaccination drives planned from December 2019 to November 2020.
The notes of the grant were signed and exchanged here Wednesday between the Government of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the presence of Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination including officials and dignitaries.
This grant worth US$ 4.5million, will be used for procurement of Oral Polio Vaccine. A total of 22.69 million doses will be procured under this grant which will support in vaccination of an estimated 20 million children for case/event response or mop-up activities. This will enable the programme to continue its efforts for closing immunity gaps among children under five years old.
“Pakistan is currently facing a challenging situation in polio eradication. However, the Government is committed to making all-out efforts to ensure all children receive the essential vaccine. It is a topmost priority of the Government of Pakistan to make Pakistan polio-free,” said Dr. Zafar Mirza during the signing ceremony. “Continuous Support from the Government of Japan and partners will help us to maintain high-quality campaigns and reach every child in Pakistan with this essential polio vaccine,” he continued while expressing his gratitude to the Government Japan and other partners.
“The Government of Japan together with the Government of Pakistan and UNICEF, is determined to eradicate polio virus from Pakistan. For that purpose, we expect the Government of Pakistan to take further initiative and redouble its effort to eradicate polio including educating the people in need how dangerous polio virus will be” said Yusuke Shindo, Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
“UNICEF is thankful to the people and the Government of Japan for their generous contributions to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme. The new grant comes at a time when the country is facing challenges to stopping poliovirus circulation. This funding will immensely contribute to strengthening immunity among children,” said Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “I am confident that with the sustained commitment from the Government of Pakistan and strong support from all partners, together we will be able to reach our goal, polio-free Pakistan.”
