ISLAMABAD, 11 December 2024 – The Government of Japan has announced a new US$ 3.1 million grant to procure essential oral polio vaccines as part of its continued support to polio eradication efforts in Pakistan. Pakistan Polio Programme will use these funds to procure more than 20.22 million doses of vaccines to support polio campaigns in 2025.
Pakistan is one of only two countries globally that has yet to stop polio. So far in 2024, Pakistan has reported a total of 59 cases of polio. With the current surge in polio cases in the country, the Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with its partners, is set to implement an extensive and strategic action plan in 2025 aimed at eradicating this life-threatening disease among children. Each national immunization drive targets over 45.4 million children under the age of five, with more than 400,000 frontline workers, predominantly women, playing a crucial role in ensuring the Polio Programme's outreach.
"The challenges faced in 2024 have underscored the critical need to accelerate our efforts to eradicate polio. With Japan's continued support, we are further strengthened to intensify our efforts, aiming to achieve zero polio cases by mid-2025 under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif," stated Prime Minister Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq.
"The unwavering support of the Government of Japan has been instrumental in helping us get closer to reaching zero cases. We are thankful to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support towards polio eradication in Pakistan," Prime Minister Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq added.
Mr. TAKANO Shuichi, Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, said “Japan has supported Pakistan to eradicate polio for nearly 30 years despite hindrance such as floods, COVID, and terrorist attacks. Since this year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s ODA to Pakistan, we would like to renew our commitment to continue to promote routine immunization including polio vaccination in Pakistan.”
The new funding is part of the continuous support from the Government of Japan to the Polio Eradication programme since 1996. To date, the grant and loan contribution from the Government of Japan has amounted to approx. US$ 242.194 million dollars to support the Polio programme in Pakistan through UNICEF.
“We appreciate the government’s commitment to making all-out efforts to ensure all children receive the essential vaccine. We believe that vaccines, the most effective way to strengthen children’s immunity, will be used effectively with the understanding of parents and communities and the efforts of frontline workers. We sincerely hope that all the polio campaigns of this year will be conducted successfully toward zero polio cases”, said Mr. MIYATA Naoaki, Chief Representative, JICA Pakistan Office.
“The sharp rise in polio cases this year is a reminder of the urgent need to protect every child with vaccines through campaigns and routine immunization. As long as there is polio anywhere, every child will remain at risk until the virus is eradicated,” said Mr. Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “With steadfast support from partners like Japan, UNICEF remains committed to vaccinating every child to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.”
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Note to Editors:
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus mainly affects children under the age of five. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the only effective way to protect our children from the crippling disease. Every time children under the age of five get the polio vaccine, they are more protected. Such repeated immunizations have protected millions of children from polio and made most of the countries around the world polio free.
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For further information, please contact:
- Zia Ur Rehman, Communications Specialist, UNICEF, zurehman@unicef.org
- Ms Hania Naeem, Communications Officer, NEOC, +923431101988; hanianaim17@gmail.com
- Ojima, Naohiro, JICA, 051-9072500, Email: Ojima.Naohiro@jica.go.jp
- Ms. Sania Jehanzeb, Embassy of Japan, +92 51 907-2500, Email: sania.jehanzeb@ib.mofa.go.jp