Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health Khaleeq ur Rehman on Saturday reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to eradicating polio during a meeting with a high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in immunisation and public health. Secretary Health Shahid Ullah Khan also attended the meeting, along with Dr Sania Nishtar, identified by the provincial government as the head of Gavi, and senior officials from the Gates Foundation and the Health Department.
Review of Ongoing Collaboration
The participants reviewed ongoing collaboration in polio eradication, routine immunisation, child health and other public health initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across the country. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the provincial government was mobilising all available resources to ensure the success of anti-polio campaigns and strengthen routine vaccination services. He reiterated that protecting every child through effective immunisation remained one of the government’s foremost public health priorities.
Acknowledgment of Support
Khaleeq ur Rehman also acknowledged the longstanding technical and financial support provided by the Gates Foundation and Gavi, saying their contributions had helped improve immunisation coverage, reinforce health systems and support Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate polio. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand vaccine coverage in high-risk and underserved areas, strengthen disease surveillance and enhance coordination for future immunisation and public health programmes.
Commitment to Partnership
Representatives of the Gates Foundation and Gavi appreciated the provincial government’s efforts to improve healthcare services and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing close cooperation in support of Pakistan’s goal of eliminating polio. The meeting concluded with both sides pledging to further strengthen their partnership to improve immunisation services and advance public health outcomes across the province and the country.
