In order to help procure 3.9 million doses of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) and related items, enough to vaccinate 3.3 million children between 4 to 23 months of age in the highest risk districts of the polio virus in Pakistan, the Japanese government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) inked a $ 4 million grant agreement.
Pakistan has recorded 18 cases of polio so far this year.
Adressing the signing ceremony, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Ministers Focal Person for Polio Eradication said, "The current polio virus picture for Pakistan is the best ever seen. We are most definitely at a crossroad now; we are close but we will need everyones commitment to reach our goal. I take this opportunity to extend appreciation to the government of Japan for its unwavering support to Pakistans effort to end polio forever."
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan Takashi Kurai, voiced optimism about headway in polio control.
He said, "We are hopeful that the use of IPV in vaccination campaigns will ensure any emerging immunity gap among new-born and other children younger than two years in areas that continue to harbour the polio virus is quickly closed."
Yasuhiro Tojo, Chief Representative of JICA in Pakistan noted, "There has been real progress in reducing the number of new infections in Pakistan. Now is the time to make the final push to eradicate polio. We hope this investment will ensure future generations will no longer have their lives blighted by this crippling disease."
Cristian Munduate, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Pakistan added, Japan is a time-honoured and trusted supporter of the children of Pakistan. This grant represents a major commitment by Japan to the health of children in Pakistan."
Pakistan has recorded 18 cases of polio so far this year.
Adressing the signing ceremony, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Ministers Focal Person for Polio Eradication said, "The current polio virus picture for Pakistan is the best ever seen. We are most definitely at a crossroad now; we are close but we will need everyones commitment to reach our goal. I take this opportunity to extend appreciation to the government of Japan for its unwavering support to Pakistans effort to end polio forever."
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan Takashi Kurai, voiced optimism about headway in polio control.
He said, "We are hopeful that the use of IPV in vaccination campaigns will ensure any emerging immunity gap among new-born and other children younger than two years in areas that continue to harbour the polio virus is quickly closed."
Yasuhiro Tojo, Chief Representative of JICA in Pakistan noted, "There has been real progress in reducing the number of new infections in Pakistan. Now is the time to make the final push to eradicate polio. We hope this investment will ensure future generations will no longer have their lives blighted by this crippling disease."
Cristian Munduate, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Pakistan added, Japan is a time-honoured and trusted supporter of the children of Pakistan. This grant represents a major commitment by Japan to the health of children in Pakistan."