Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Gates Foundation delegation on polio eradication

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Gates Foundation delegation on polio eradication

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met a high-level delegation of the Gates Foundation to review progress on Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts and reaffirm the government’s resolve to eliminate the virus from the country.

The Gates Foundation delegation was led by Chris Elias, President for Global Development, and included Dr. Kathy Neuzil, Director Polio, and Michael Galway, Deputy Director Polio. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between Pakistan and the foundation to accelerate immunization coverage and improve field-level implementation of polio campaigns.

Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, and other senior government officials were also present during the discussions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would continue to take sustained and coordinated measures, in partnership with trusted global allies such as the Gates Foundation, until the complete eradication of polio is achieved. He emphasized that the government remains fully committed to protecting children from preventable diseases through effective vaccination strategies and strong monitoring mechanisms.

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Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership and appreciated the continued technical and financial support of the Gates Foundation. He reaffirmed the government’s determination to further strengthen polio eradication activities and ensure that vaccination teams reach every child, particularly in high-risk areas.

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Chris Elias praised the Prime Minister’s personal interest and leadership in the fight against polio and commended Pakistan’s practical steps to curb virus transmission. He said sustained political commitment and community engagement were key to achieving the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.

The meeting highlighted the importance of continued global cooperation and national ownership in overcoming the final hurdles in polio eradication, with both sides agreeing to deepen their partnership in the coming months.

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