ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the government was committed to purging the country of the deadly poliovirus.

The prime minister, during a meeting with a delegation of Rotary Foundation, headed by International PolioPlus Committee Chairman Michael McGovern, said he would continue to personally monitor the efforts for elimination of polio from the country.

He said the services of Rotary Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a polio-free Pakistan were appreciable, adding that the government was ensuring the security of polio workers.

The prime minister appreciated Rotary International for development of a housing project for the victims of 2022 floods. He directed the authorities concerned to devise a comprehensive strategy for the upcoming polio vaccination drive.

Orders foolproof security for polio workers

The prime minister was informed that this year, Rotary International and other partner organisations had allocated $15 million for anti-polio drives.

Apprising the prime minister of the current status of anti-polio campaigns, the relevant authorities said a special drive would be launched in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The prime minister instructed the law enforcement agencies to ensure foolproof security for the polio workers. He also directed the officers of the Ministry of National Health to make full preparations for the success of the upcoming polio vaccination drive.

The officer-bearers of Rotary International, incl­u­ding Aziz Memon, Faiz Kidwai, Adnan Rohela, and officials of the relevant ministries attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2023