Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday emphasized that the government was taking practical steps through a comprehensive strategy and effective team to completely eliminate polio from Pakistan at the earliest.
He was speaking to Dr. Chris Elias, Chairman of the Gates Global Development Foundation, who along with his delegation visited him at the Prime Minister’s House.
The Prime Minister expressed the government’s determination that Pakistan will continue its efforts, with the support of trusted partners such as the Gates Foundation, until the complete eradication of polio from the country.
“Bill Gates’ invaluable services towards the eradication of polio in Pakistan will always be remembered,” he said, adding that Pakistan was deeply grateful for the cooperation of Bill Gates and brotherly Muslim countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, in efforts to eradicate polio.
Despite the important successes in the current fight against the disease, the Prime Minister pointed out that new urgent measures are indispensable.
He said the federal government was working in full coordination with the provinces to ensure access of anti-polio teams across the country, adding that relevant projects would be continued under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the anti-polio campaign.
The Prime Minister also directed the federal Ministry of Health to make recommendations, in coordination with all relevant institutions, for public awareness and provision of vaccines related to polio eradication.
Gates Foundation for Global Development President Chris Elias said the Foundation greatly appreciates the prime minister’s personal attention to polio eradication and the effective practical measures taken in this regard.
