PM vows to eradicate polio from country

Meets Global Development Gates Foundation president

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday emphasised that the government was taking practical steps through a comprehensive strategy and an effective team to completely eliminate polio disease from Pakistan at the earliest.

He was talking to Global Development Gates Foundation President Dr Chris Elias who along with his delegation called on him at the PM House.

The prime minister expressed the government' resolve that Pakistan will continue its efforts, with the support of trusted partners like the Gates Foundation, until the complete eradication of polio from the country.

"The invaluable services of Bill Gates for the eradication of polio from Pakistan will always be remembered," he said adding Pakistan was deeply grateful for the cooperation of Bill Gates and brotherly Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, in efforts to eradicate polio.

Despite significant success in the ongoing fight against the disease, the prime minister noted that further urgent measures were indispensable.

He said the federal government was working in full coordination with the provinces to ensure access for polio teams across the country adding that relevant projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the anti-polio campaign will be continued.

The prime minister also directed the federal health ministry to formulate recommendations, in coordination with all relevant institutions, for public awareness and the supply of vaccines related to polio eradication.

Gates Foundation President for Global Development Chris Elias said the Foundation highly appreciates the prime minister's personal attention to polio eradication and the effective practical measures taken in this regard.