ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan will be polio-free in next two years as due to government’s initiatives, it has witnessed far less polio cases as compared to last year when 306 polio cases were reported across the country.
“Polio virus would be eradicated from Pakistan in the coming two years,” President Mamnoon Hussain expressed the hope while talking to the Chairman International Polio Plus Committee and Vice Chairman Rotary Foundation Michael K McGovern in Islamabad.
The president called upon the international community to help Pakistan and extend all possible cooperation in this regard.
Mamnoon Hussain underscored that the polio eradication programme enjoys government’s ownership at the highest level and highlighted that the Chief Ministers of all the provinces were paying special attention to ensure that every child was reached by polio programme.
“The government of Pakistan’s decisive action against terrorism had a positive effect on initiative of polio eradication campaign,” he said.
On the occasion, Michael McGovern lauded the commitment and seriousness of the efforts of the government of Pakistan for eradication of polio. He also assured of talking to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) head for lifting travel restrictions imposed on Pakistan.
Pakistan as well as Afghanistan and Nigeria are only three countries in the world where polio remains endemic.
Last year, 306 polio cases were reported across Pakistan. However, this year reported polio cases are far less than those reported in 2014 as so far 25 cases have been reported in 2015.
