Chitral Times Report
ISLAMABAD: Mr. Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Economic Affairs, while addressing the Launch event of Support to Pakistan Polio Eradication Program (2019-2021), said “Today we are celebrating the long-standing partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Over the years we have come to count on IsDB to keep up against the fight for a Polio-free Pakistan.” The Minister also thanked the partners of the Lives and Livelihood Fund (LLF) for provision of USD 10 million Grant in addition to IsDB loan of USD 90 million. The LLF was launched by the IsDB in September 2016 to offer blended (Loan & Grant) financing resources to the member countries for development projects in the Agriculture, Education and Health Sectors. This contribution will help the Pakistan Polio Eradication Program in coping with on-going challenges of polio virus circulation. The Minister appreciated IsDB’s efforts in generously supporting Pakistan in its endeavor to put the economy on a high growth trajectory. The Bank’s presence in Pakistan is diverse, covering major sectors of economy such as energy, trade, transportation, water and sanitation, agriculture, industry, finance, education, and health with approved financing portfolio of USD 12.43 billion for Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (NHSR&C), said that the financial assistance provided by the IsDB has strengthened the procurement of vaccine; operations and surveillance activities of the program. It has made the Polio Eradication Program more adaptable and responsive to dynamic and rapidly changing polio eradication environment. The IsDB has not only provided huge financing support to Pakistan for the Polio Eradication but it has also contributed in bringing a ‘religious’ element in the program that has positively influenced community’s trust and acceptance. The IsDB and LLF representatives i.e. Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center (KS Relief) and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (AFDF), thanked the GOP for their efforts in polio eradication and assured their continued support in the fight against the Polio virus. The LLF mission also visited the outskirts of Islamabad Capital Territory and participated in the nationwide vaccination campaign started on 16th December 2019, during which 39.5 million children under the age of five are being vaccinated. The program implements high quality vaccination campaigns throughout the year that aim to reach all children in Pakistan. These campaigns are implemented by more than 260,000 frontline health workers that visit door-to-door to make sure that each and every child is given the polio vaccine that protects them from the crippling polio virus. The program undertakes highly sensitive surveillance, detection and response activities to track and limit virus transmission across the country. The communication and social mobilization activities promote acceptability and ownership of the program.
