Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated that the government is committed to eradicating all forms of polio in the country.
Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that enters the central nervous system and damages the spinal cord and brain cells.
The disease can be fatal, and those who survive are often paralyzed or have twisted limbs.
Polio most often affects children under the age of five, but it can also affect anyone who has not been vaccinated.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where wild poliovirus is still endemic, although cases of imported wild polio were also detected in Malawi and Mozambique in 2022.
The Prime Minister reiterated this commitment in a telephonic conversation with Bill Gates, co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The two discussed the ongoing public health and social sector programs in Pakistan with the support of BMGF, the PM’s office media wing said in a press release.
In a phone call last night, Bill Gates & I discussed polio eradication challenges in our flood-hit areas. Government will continue to work with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to ensure no child remains at risk of this deadly virus. I thanked Mr Gates for his consistent support.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 14, 2022
Expressing concern over the reporting of new cases in 2022 after a year without any polio cases, the Prime Minister noted that there has been a hiatus in polio cases since September 2022.
In light of the recent floods that have severely affected ongoing polio vaccination efforts due to mass displacement and destruction of health care infrastructure, the Prime Minister confirmed that the government will is actively implementing the Emergency Response Plan and will continue to adapt and explore ways to adapt accordingly. To reach children in this difficult time.
He also appreciated BMGF’s valuable support to Pakistan in eradicating polio in the country and improving immunization, nutrition and financial inclusion.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen the fruitful partnership with the Foundation in all ongoing areas of cooperation.
Gates expressed deep regret over the loss of life in the recent floods in Pakistan.
He also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio and reiterated his foundation’s continued support for Pakistan to ensure that no child is at risk of paralysis due to the polio virus.
Various other government-led programs aimed at combating malnutrition and stunting, essential immunization services, micropayment gateway RAAST, and digitizing the National Savings Program were also discussed with support from BMGF.
The Prime Minister and Gates agreed to continue working together on common goals and areas of mutual cooperation.
Gates Foundation pledged $1.2 billion to eradicate polio.
In October, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged $1.2 billion to end polio as health experts from around the world gathered for a summit in Berlin.
Bill Gates said in a statement released on the occasion, “Polio eradication is nearing the limit. But as far as we’ve come, the disease is a threat.”
The money was to be donated to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership led by national governments that aims to eliminate the disease by 2026.
