PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to achieving polio-free future

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating polio, stating that every possible effort was being made to safeguard Pakistan’s children from the debilitating disease and secure a healthier future for the nation.

Addressing a delegation of the Polio Oversight Board at the Prime Minister’s House, he stressed that eliminating polio remains a top national objective and urged all partners involved in the campaign to further strengthen their coordinated efforts to achieve complete eradication.

The visiting delegation comprised Mike McGovern, Chair of Rotary’s Polio Oversight Board, Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of the World Health WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, along with representatives from UNICEF, Gavi and other international organizations assisting Pakistan’s anti-polio programme.

Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister thanked the global partners for their continued collaboration and support in Pakistan’s fight against the virus.

He also instructed the relevant authorities to give special priority to polio-affected areas in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and formulate a more effective plan to overcome the remaining obstacles.

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed deep appreciation for the contributions of Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and all other development partners whose support has played a vital role in advancing Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign.

He further acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Federal Minister for National Health Services, the Minister of State for Health, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, the National Polio Coordinator and the entire government team for their dedication to eliminating the disease.

The delegation commended the Pakistani government for the progress achieved in its anti-polio drive and appreciated the prime minister’s leadership in moving the country closer to a polio-free future.

The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, as well as other senior government officials.