Japan announces $3.62mln grant to support Pakistan’s polio programme

The Government of Japan has announced a new $3.62 million grant to procure essential oral polio vaccines as part of its continued support of polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.

Pakistan Polio Programme will use these funds to procure more than 21 million doses of vaccines to support polio campaigns in 2024.

Pakistan is one of only two countries globally that has yet to stop polio. In 2023, Pakistan reported a total of 6 cases of polio. With polio cases cornered to only a few locations in the country, the Government of Pakistan and its partners are preparing to launch an aggressive plan of activities in 2024 to stop this life-altering disease for children. Each national immunization drive targets over 44 million children under the age of five, with more than 370,000 frontline workers, predominantly women, playing a crucial role in ensuring the Polio Programme’s outreach.

“Despite the challenges, Pakistan will remain relentless in our drive to put an end to polio in the next year,” said Caretaker Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan. “As we prepare to launch polio campaigns in 2024, together with our partners we will maintain an emergency focus towards resolving the remaining challenges that stand in our way to reach all children. “

“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,” Dr Jan added.