As long as polio virus continues to circulate and paralyze children, the government's efforts would continue with full force to eradicate it, said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
ISLAMABAD, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed resolve to eradicate polio virus from the country, the prime minister's office said in a statement.
Chairing a meeting of the National Taskforce on Polio Eradication here with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and local officials in attendance, Sharif lauded the dedication of frontline workers, government leadership, and partner support for the significant progress against polio, the statement said.
The prime minister appreciated the Gates Foundation for its key partnership and long association with the polio eradication program.
He said that as long as the virus continues to circulate and paralyze children, the government's efforts would continue with full force to eradicate it.
Terming the reporting of five polio cases and 185 environmental samples as poliovirus-positive during 2024 as a great cause of concern, he directed the employment of all resources at the disposal of Pakistan to give security to polio vaccination teams and to gear up national efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan.
Sharif directed all stakeholders to ensure that every child in Pakistan receives multiple doses of the vaccine and is protected against polio.
Bill Gates, in his remarks, said that the country's efforts to eradicate polio in the face of complex challenges are one example of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in improving health for all, from female frontline workers to government leaders, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said in a statement.
"I am confident that by continuing to work together, implementing innovative approaches, and staying vigilant, Pakistan will make great strides toward ending polio," he added.■
