National Task Force on Polio Eradication has expressed the resolve to employ all resources to eliminate polio from Pakistan.

The meeting of the National Taskforce on Polio Eradication was held in Islamabad on Monday, with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.

Chair of Gates Foundation Bill Gates together with President Global Development Dr. Chris Elias, President Gender Equality and Michael Galway Dr Anita Zaidi, Deputy Director of Polio Eradication of the Gates Foundation along with partner organizations of Rotary, UNICEF, WHO and Centre for Disease Control attended the meeting.    

The Prime Minister appreciated Gates Foundation for its key partnership and long association in the polio eradication programme.

He also appreciated the dedication of frontline workers, government leadership and partner support for the significant progress against polio.

Shehbaz Sharif resolved that as long as the virus continues to circulate and paralyze children, our efforts would continue with full force.

He directed all stakeholders to ensure that every child in Pakistan receives multiple doses of the vaccine and is protected against polio.

He emphasized that provinces should lead polio eradication efforts in their regions with a sense of urgency to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission this year.

Bill Gates, in his remarks underscored that his foundation will continue to extend support to Pakistan for polio eradication.

He also emphasized obtaining maximum vaccination coverage during polio vaccination campaigns.

The meeting was briefed about the challenges in implementing successive polio drives in several areas, particularly in security-compromised areas and some parts of Balochistan.

The meeting was also briefed about different steps taken by provincial governments to eradicate Polio Virus and recent trends in immunization.

It was told that Punjab has been leading in routine immunization and its ratio is the highest among the provinces. An overview of the ongoing response to the recent surge in wild poliovirus detections throughout Pakistan was also given to participants.