PM Shehbaz Reaffirms Commitment to Polio Eradication
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to eradicating polio, describing the elimination of the disease as a top national priority. He made these remarks during a meeting with a seven-member delegation of the Polio Oversight Board (POB) in Islamabad.
The delegation included Polio Oversight Board Chair Mike McGovern, Gates Foundation President of Global Development Chris Elias, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy, and representatives from UNICEF, Gavi, and other international partners supporting Pakistan's polio eradication efforts.
PM Thanks International Partners
Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister thanked all international partners for their continued cooperation with the Government of Pakistan in the fight against polio. "We are taking every possible step to protect the future of Pakistan's children from the crippling disease of polio," the prime minister said, reaffirming the government's resolve to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that polio eradication remains a key national priority and urged all stakeholders to further accelerate their joint efforts. He also directed authorities to adopt a more effective strategy with special focus on polio hotspots in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Appreciation for Partners and Officials
The prime minister expressed gratitude to Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and all other partners for their continued support in Pakistan's anti-polio campaign.
He also commended Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for Health, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq as the prime minister's focal person on polio eradication, the National Polio Coordinator, and the entire government team for their efforts in combating the disease.
Delegation Praises Progress
The Polio Oversight Board delegation praised the government's effective measures and acknowledged the significant progress made towards achieving a polio-free Pakistan. Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, and senior government officials also attended the meeting.
