ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s resolve to make Pakistan a polio-free country on November 20. He said the federation and all the provinces were taking steps to eradicate polio. He said all the provinces had been taken into confidence over the polio eradication measure, and together, they would eradicate the disease.
A delegation of Polio Oversight Board comprising Christopher Elias, a Representative of Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation, Dr Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director World Health Organization, UNICEF Regional Director Sanjay Wijesekera, Deputy Director Center for Disease Control and Prevention Andrea Fristedt, Rotary Foundation Trustee and National Chair Dr Aziz Memon, Dr. Ziyad bin Ahmed Meemish of King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Center and Health and Environmental Advisor KSrelief Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh called on the prime minister, PM Office Media Wing in a press release said.
The prime minister thanked the delegation for their visit and support to the government’s efforts to end polio.
He also expressed his gratitude to King Salman Foundation, Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation, Rotary Foundation, UNICEF and CDC that are partners to government in its anti-polio measures.
The prime minister observed that the part played by these organizations showed global efforts in the polio eradication drive and expressed the confidence that they would overcome the challenge of polio and would not rest till it was banished forever.
The meeting was attended by PM’ Coordinator on National Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq and other senior officials.
News published in the Express Tribune on 21st November 2024
