Pakistan polio eradication efforts ISLAMABAD – In a key meeting to assess Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal reaffirmed the government’s determination to eliminate polio from the country. The discussion took place with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a long-time partner in Pakistan’s fight against the disease.
Minister Kamal praised the Foundation’s continued support and highlighted the collaborative efforts between federal and provincial governments, health workers, and law enforcement agencies. He stressed that all stakeholders are working in full coordination to ensure Pakistan becomes polio-free.
According to the minister, recent nationwide vaccination campaigns have led to a significant drop in vaccine refusals, thanks to improved community engagement and high-quality outreach strategies. He expressed confidence that Pakistan is on track to achieve complete polio eradication by the end of 2025.
Dr. Elias acknowledged Pakistan’s progress and shared optimism about reaching the eradication goal. He reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in this critical public health mission.
Minister Kamal also emphasized the importance of cross-border coordination with Afghanistan, noting that both countries are working closely to conduct synchronized vaccination drives. He pointed to the successful completion of national immunization campaigns in February and April 2025, and announced the launch of the next campaign on May 26, which aims to vaccinate 45.4 million children nationwide.
The meeting underscored Pakistan’s dedication to protecting future generations from polio and highlighted the importance of sustained global and regional partnerships.
