Govt ‘committed to eradicate’ all forms of polio

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated that the government remained committed to ending all forms of polio in the country.

The prime minister had a telephonic conversation with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Co-chair Bill Gates and discussed the ongoing public health and social sector programmes supported by BMGF in Pakistan, PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.

While expressing concern over reporting of new cases in 2022 after one year without any polio case, the prime minister noted that there had been a pause in polio cases since September 2022.

In light of the recent flooding which had adversely affected the ongoing polio vaccination efforts due to large-scale displacements and destruction of healthcare infrastructure, the prime minister reaffirmed that the government was actively implementing the special emergency response plan and would continue to adapt and find ways to reach out to children in these challenging times.