ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that technology is increasingly being utilized across all health sectors in Pakistan, including polio eradication, as part of efforts to modernize public healthcare and achieve improved outcomes. The Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting with the national anti-polio team in Islamabad.
According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Sharif expressed concern over the rising number of polio-affected children in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for enhanced collaborative efforts. He directed the preparation of a systematic roster for visits by relevant individuals to polio-affected areas during the anti-polio campaign to increase the effectiveness of these initiatives. The Prime Minister also stressed the necessity of ensuring the security of polio workers, urging that comprehensive measures be implemented to safeguard them.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif shared that Bill Gates, Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had written a letter commending Pakistan’s ongoing anti-polio efforts and the dedication of the workers involved. He conveyed the government’s gratitude to the Gates Foundation and all national and international partners for their support in the health sector and their collaborative efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister was briefed on the success of the anti-polio campaign, which is being bolstered by the involvement of local communities.