Japan has announced a $3.1 million grant to support the anti-polio campaign in Pakistan.

Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, stated that the funds will be used for the anti-polio campaign for 2025, with over 20 million vaccines to be purchased under an agreement signed by Japan, JICA, and UNICEF.

The focal person highlighted the importance of Japan’s continued support in strengthening the fight against polio.

She reiterated the government’s commitment, under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, to eliminate polio from Pakistan by mid-2025.

It is worth mentioning here that, Pakistan remains one of only two countries where polio is still endemic, with 59 cases reported this year – most in Balochistan.

In response, the government and partners have developed a strategic action plan targeting over 45 million children under five years of age.

An upcoming anti-polio campaign will run in 36 districts of Punjab from December 16.

Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad will see vaccinations continue until December 22, while efforts in 33 other districts will conclude by December 20.

Meanwhile, a provincial target of vaccinating 23.3 million children has been set.

Source: Hum News