ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Japan on Thursday extended $6.5 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) to procure 46 million doses of oral polio vaccine to be administered to 34.3 million children under the age of five across the country.

Japanese ambassador Nobuaki Tanaka and Unicef Representative Omar Ahmed Abdi signed an agreement in this regard at a ceremony held here. Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.

The grant is in continuation of Japan’s support to the National Polio Eradication Programme. Funds provided by the Government of Japan would be used to procure 46 million doses of oral polio vaccine, equivalent to about 28 per cent of the vaccine requirement for 2005.

“We are committed to eradicating polio from Pakistan and are grateful to the people and the government of Japan for their generous support to this end,” said the health minister.

Speaking on the occasion, the Japanese ambassador said: “Polio eradication campaign and our joint efforts have become all the more important in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Pakistan on October 8. The main challenge this time is to access all children, including those affected by the earthquake.”

Thanking the people and the Government of Japan, Unicef Representative Omar Abdi said Japan continued to be one of the major donors contributing towards polio eradication in Pakistan. He also stressed highlighting the importance of vaccinating the children affected by the earthquake.

The health ministry and its partners have initiated immunization activities in the quake-affected areas.

The Government of Japan has supported the Polio Eradication Programme in Pakistan since 1996. Total contribution made so far by Japan adds up to $65.2 million.

With high-quality polio campaigns, it is very likely that Pakistan will finally become polio free in the coming months.