The Government of Japan has announced a new grant of $3.1 million to support polio eradication efforts in Pakistan, specifically for the procurement of essential oral vaccines. This funding will allow Pakistan to acquire over 20.22 million doses to bolster its polio vaccination campaigns in 2025.

So far this year, Pakistan has reported 59 polio cases, with 26 from Balochistan, 16 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15 from Sindh, and one case each from Punjab and Islamabad.

In a statement released today, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme (PPEP) highlighted that this new funding is part of Japan’s ongoing support for the polio eradication initiative, which has been in place since 1996.

To date, Japan’s contributions, including grants and loans, have totaled approximately $242.2 million through UNICEF to aid the polio program in Pakistan.

Shuichi Takano, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to Pakistan, stated, “Japan has supported Pakistan in eradicating polio for nearly 30 years, despite challenges such as floods, COVID-19, and terrorist attacks.”

He emphasized Japan’s commitment to promoting routine immunization, including polio vaccination, in light of the 70th anniversary of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Pakistan.

Each national immunization drive is set to target over 45.4 million children under five, with more than 400,000 frontline workers, primarily women, playing a vital role in outreach efforts.

Read more

Quetta reports 18th polio case this year

PM Shehbaz vows to make Pakistan a polio-free country as seven-day vaccination campaign begins

World Polio Day: Pakistan still struggles to eradicate polio as new cases emerge