ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the federal government along with all the provincial governments resolved to eliminate the menace of Polio forever and said that they were fully committed to control its spread through collective efforts.
Addressing a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio Eradication, the prime minister said that the polio eradication campaign in the country was progressing positively and they were close to eliminate polio but unfortunately, things turned negative as the virus returned back in certain parts of Pakistan, still it did not show that they had failed in their efforts.
Chairman Gates Foundation Bill Gates, ministers, senior officials and relevant authorities were present during the meeting.
The prime minister assured Bill Gates that the government was fully committed ‘to continue its efforts in our own interests to protect lives of our children and make them healthier.’
He said that during the last six months, they ran two nation-wide polio eradication campaigns successfully along with five others targeting the polio hit areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also stressed that they would have to act swiftly to produce results in the coming days and months.
The prime minister told Bill Gates that they held a holistic security conference the other day and held lengthy discussions to counter surge of terrorism and other relevant security issues.
Recalling his meeting with Bill Gates in Riyadh on the sidelines of World Economic Forum (WEF), the prime minister said that they had held comprehensive discussions on polio eradication and health related issues of Pakistan.
The prime minister said that investment in polio eradication programme in Pakistan had been significant as during the year 2022 it stood at $240 millions, in 2023, $263 millions and in 2024, $297 millions.
The prime minister further informed that during the WEF, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also pledged $500 million dollars for the next five years.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Gates Foundation, Bill Gates said that they had to address all the areas in a better way in the next few months to keep up the positive momentum.
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He said that they were committed to Pakistan in its efforts to eradicate polio and address other health related issues including malnutrition and mother and child healthcare.
