PNN: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to completely eradicate polio with the continued support of trusted partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with a high-level delegation of the Gates Foundation, led by its President for Global Development, Chris Elias, in Islamabad.The delegation also included Director Polio Dr Kathy Neuzil and Deputy Director Polio Michael Galway.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the valuable contributions of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation toward polio eradication in Pakistan, stating that these efforts would always be remembered. He also expressed gratitude to brotherly Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, for their support in the fight against the disease.
The prime minister said the government is implementing practical measures through a comprehensive strategy and an effective team, and remains determined to achieve the complete eradication of polio in Pakistan at the earliest. He noted that despite significant progress in the ongoing battle against the disease, further urgent measures remain necessary.
He added that the federal government is working in close coordination with the provinces to ensure uninterrupted access of polio teams across the country under an effective strategy. Polio-related projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) will continue, he said.
The prime minister also directed the Ministry of National Health Services to develop recommendations in coordination with relevant institutions to enhance public awareness and ensure the availability of vaccines nationwide.
Chris Elias lauded the prime minister’s personal focus on polio eradication and the effective steps taken by the government in this regard. He said Pakistan is moving in the right direction and expressed confidence that ongoing efforts would lead to the complete elimination of polio.
He added that the Gates Foundation would continue constructive engagement with federal and provincial governments and relevant institutions. He also appreciated the measures taken to eliminate the environmental presence of the poliovirus and to ensure access of polio teams to all areas.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the prime minister congratulated Dr Kathy Neuzil on her recent appointment as Director Polio at the Gates Foundation and conveyed his best wishes.
Chris Elias also conveyed a message of goodwill from Bill Gates to the prime minister and expressed full confidence in Pakistan’s ongoing polio eradication campaign, expressing hope that the country would soon achieve its goal of completely eliminating the disease.