PM Shehbaz meets Gates Foundation delegation, reaffirms commitment to polio eradication

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with a delegation of the Gates Foundation led by its President for Global Development, Chris Elias, to discuss Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts and continued bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, the prime Mminister reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to completely eliminating polio from the country, stating that efforts would continue in collaboration with trusted partners such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He said Bill Gates’ contributions toward polio eradication in Pakistan would always be remembered and expressed gratitude for the support of Muslim brotherly countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, in this regard.

Premier Shehbaz Sharif said the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy with an effective team and remains fully determined to achieve the complete eradication of polio. Despite notable progress, he emphasized that further emergency measures are still essential to win the fight against the disease.

He added that the federal government is working in close coordination with provincial governments to ensure nationwide access for polio vaccination teams. Polio eradication initiatives, he said, will continue under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

The PM also directed the Ministry of National Health Services to formulate recommendations in collaboration with all relevant institutions to strengthen polio eradication efforts, public awareness campaigns, and vaccine availability.

Chris Elias praised the Prime Minister’s personal commitment and the government’s practical measures against polio, stating that Pakistan is moving in the right direction toward complete eradication of the virus. He assured continued constructive engagement with federal and provincial governments and relevant institutions.

The Gates Foundation official also commended Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate the environmental presence of the polio virus and to ensure the reach of vaccination teams across all regions of the country.