Islamabad, Nov 20: France reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the global effort to eradicate polio as Pakistan grapples with a rise in polio cases.
During the Polio Oversight Board (POB) delegation’s visit to Pakistan, French Ambassador Nicolas Galey hosted a reception at his residence to engage stakeholders, including the government, diplomatic corps, and donor community, to address the polio outbreak.
The French Embassy, in collaboration with Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is backing Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts through financial and operational support.
This includes a $55 million concessional loan, partially funded by a $20 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Finalized in July 2024, this funding facilitates core elements of the polio program, such as frontline worker payments and surveillance activities.
The Polio Oversight Board, representing key agencies like WHO, UNICEF, and Rotary International, emphasized the importance of coordinated global and regional efforts to combat polio.
With additional financial pledges, such as Saudi Arabia’s $500 million contribution to the global initiative, stakeholders aim to strengthen Pakistan’s fight against the disease.
The delegation’s visit underscores the urgency of eradicating polio, particularly in light of Pakistan’s challenges, and highlights international solidarity in tackling this public health issue.
The Polio Oversight Board consists of the heads of agencies from the leading partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, UNICEF, US CDC, Rotary International, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
During this November visit, the Board is joined by senior representatives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which recently pledged $ 500 million to the global polio initiative.
The Board’s delegation includes Dr. Chris Elias, Chair of the Polio Oversight Board and President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for WHO Eastern Mediterranean; Mr. Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia; Aziz Memon, Rotary International Trustee and Chairman of the National PolioPlus Committee; and representatives from the US Centers for Disease Control and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), along with Saudi dignitaries.
