Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the urgent need to eradicate polio and hepatitis in the country through sustained efforts, similar to the successful elimination of Trachoma.

He was speaking at a function in Islamabad where Head of Mission for the World Health Organization in Pakistan Dr Lou Dapeng presented him a Trachoma-free Pakistan certificate.

The Prime Minister said the certificate symbolizes the dedication of the Health Ministry and other stakeholders in the effort to eliminate the disease of the caused by infection.

Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities to sustain their hard work and dedication, emphasizing that such efforts could elevate Pakistan to new heights of excellence.

He recalled that during his tenure as Punjab chief minister, he initiated effective programmes to combat the diseases, and hoped that the same would continue under the current leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and in other provinces as well. He offered the cooperation of Federal Government in that regard.

Prime Minister appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Health Ministry, provincial governments, NGOs, experts, and other departments in eradicating Trachoma, which had helped save the sight of hundreds.

He instructed the relevant authorities to take preventive measures, and establish effective supervision and checks and balances to stop reemergence of the disease in the country.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization announced that Pakistan has successfully eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the 19th country to achieve the milestone.

It attributed the success to the collaborative efforts of health professionals, communities, and organizations such as Sightsavers, Christian Blind Mission, and the Fred Hollows Foundation.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the dedication of Pakistan's health workers and emphasized the importance of collective action in combating preventable diseases.

WHO Regional Director Hanan Balkhy said that Pakistan's elimination of two neglected tropical diseases showcased its commitment to public health.

Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Pakistan, in his remarks, said the achievement would prevent thousands from experiencing visual impairment or blindness.