Pakistan is the second largest recipient of GAVI support with over $840 million committed up to 2019. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: With Pakistan struggling against communicable diseases, it is big news when for the first time, a high level delegation of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) is likely to visit Pakistan. The delegation is expected in the third week of February to meet the top leadership of the country and to discuss national commitment to improve routine immunisation coverage in the country.
Pakistan is the second largest recipient of GAVI support with over $840 million committed up to 2019, out of which the total disbursement to Pakistan to date stands at $720 million, comprising $610 million as vaccine support and $110 million as cash grant which is non-vaccine support.
“The delegation wants to have a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC), Saira Afzal Tarar, to discuss issues related to improving routine immunisation coverage across the country which is currently below satisfactory level, said official sources in the Ministry of NHSRC.
The meeting has been scheduled by Pakistan’s permanent mission in Geneva in view of the sorry state of affairs of routine immunisation coverage in Pakistan, said official sources.
Sharing the details, the official sources said that the mission will be led by Dr Ala Alwan, regional director of World Health Organisation, and Dr Seth Berkley, GAVI Chief Executive Officer.
It was further revealed that GAVI partners participating in the mission include GAVI Board representatives from the Department for International Development UK, representatives of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The World Bank and Unicef.
When contacted, Dr Rana Safdar, in-charge of the National Emergency Operation Cell, said that the high level mission will also discuss other issues related to mother and child health.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 11th, 2015.
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