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PM urges nation to take responsibility and make Pakistan polio-free

BY INP , (LAST UPDATED 15 SECONDS AGO)
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ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan on Monday announced to provide JPY 510 million in grant aid to support the supply of the essential polio vaccine for the campaigns during the 2018/19 low-transmission season of the poliovirus.

The notes of the grant were signed and exchanged between the government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The grant, worth $4.6 million, will support the procurement of 25 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), sufficient to vaccinate children under the age of five in the high-risk districts across Pakistan, enabling the programme to quickly close the immunity gaps.

Speaking at the ceremony, Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Aamer Mehmood Kiani said, “The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan is resolutely committed to the eradication of polio.”

He said that polio eradication is the top priority of his ministry and no effort will be spared in attaining the goal of a polio-free Pakistan. He thanked the government of Japan and other partners for their continued support in eradicating polio.

Acknowledging the commitment by the government of Japan, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Babar Bin Atta said, “Over the years, the government and people of Japan stood by us even during the difficult times. Pakistan’s programme today is rated among one of the best public health service delivery initiative across the globe.”

“We are proud of our achievements so far and are keen to achieve our goal of interrupting the poliovirus during this critical low season. I want to thank the government and people of Japan and all partners whose support has been critical over the years to bring us to where we are today,” he added.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan Takashi Kurai said, “Polio is indeed a global challenge for public health but this crippling disease is preventable by vaccination. Japan continues to support Polio eradication in Pakistan and I do hope that very soon, we will achieve the long-cherished goal of complete eradication of this disease from Pakistan.”

JICA Chief Representative in Pakistan Yasuhiro Tojo said, “The determination of Pakistan to wipe out the poliovirus can be seen clearly in the record low number of cases. We are glad to be part of this admirable effort and hope that our support to procure additional oral polio vaccine will accelerate the country’s pace towards achieving this milestone.”

UNICEF Pakistan Deputy Representative Cristian Munduate said, “The new grant comes at a time when the country is making headway towards stopping poliovirus circulation. I am confident that with the sustained commitment from the government of Pakistan and strong support from all partners, together we will defeat the virus very soon.”

Pakistan’s drive to become polio-free where the crippling virus can no longer ruin the lives of children and communities has been remarkable. This achievement was made possible through the systematic implementation of well planned, high-quality campaigns that reached all children with the essential vaccine before the deadly virus was able to reach them. Over the last four years, Pakistan achieved significant progress in the fight against polio. From 306 cases in 2014, the number of cases declined to 54 in 2015, 20 in 2016, and down to eight in 2017. So far in 2018, a total of eight polio cases have been reported.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...-in-aid-to-pakistan-for-eradication-of-polio/
 
It is news like this that gives donors a bad feeling as to how their money will be used:



https://www.dawn.com/news/1446439/polio-team-caught-faking-data-wasting-vaccines

ISLAMABAD: A team of polio vaccinators were caught faking data and wasting polio vaccines in the federal capital.

Confirming the incident, focal person on polio for Islamabad, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr Asif Rahim said the services of all 11 team members were terminated so no one dares repeat such a practice.

“We decided on severe punishment because this is not tolerable. This was not just a blunder or a mistake. Due to what the team did, a number of children were not vaccinated which can also delay getting to the goal of eradicating the virus from the country,” he said.

An official of the polio programme said that on Saturday, a team from the World Health Organisation caught vaccinators deputed at the permanent transit point (PTP) of Sabzi Mandi Mor.

They would spill two drops of the vaccine on the ground for every fake name they would enter in the data for vaccinated children.
 
It is news like this that gives donors a bad feeling as to how their money will be used:



https://www.dawn.com/news/1446439/polio-team-caught-faking-data-wasting-vaccines

ISLAMABAD: A team of polio vaccinators were caught faking data and wasting polio vaccines in the federal capital.

Confirming the incident, focal person on polio for Islamabad, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr Asif Rahim said the services of all 11 team members were terminated so no one dares repeat such a practice.

“We decided on severe punishment because this is not tolerable. This was not just a blunder or a mistake. Due to what the team did, a number of children were not vaccinated which can also delay getting to the goal of eradicating the virus from the country,” he said.

An official of the polio programme said that on Saturday, a team from the World Health Organisation caught vaccinators deputed at the permanent transit point (PTP) of Sabzi Mandi Mor.

They would spill two drops of the vaccine on the ground for every fake name they would enter in the data for vaccinated children.
cant blame them since a section of Pakistani consider polio vaccinators biggest threat to their existence.
 
Wow have you been living under a rock all this time?!! They did it because of two very obvious reasons a) they got paid for the work b) they saved themselves from being killed by militants opposed to vaccination. We should not be surprised that they did it when polio vaccinators face so many threats in Pakistan.
Not everyone has a devilish mind as yours to naturally come up with such conclusions ....
 
cant blame them since a section of Pakistani consider polio vaccinators biggest threat to their existence.

The problem comes when the image and the perception of the country internationally is adversely affected by stories like this.
 
The problem comes when the image and the perception of the country internationally is adversely affected by stories like this.
but if one get bullet for working for Polio Vaccination .. they may attempt to do as reported .
 
but if one get bullet for working for Polio Vaccination .. they may attempt to do as reported .

Good point. The government should really provide them with adequate security to do their jobs.
 
Not everyone has a devilish mind as yours to naturally come up with such conclusions ....

Well I'm not the one taking money for wasting medicines. Widespread immorality in Pakistan is a real problem and to deny it is delusional. What I wrote is humans responding to economic incentives regardless of the morality of it all.
 
How does one audit the efficacy of such programs?

I read a report on an NGO program on agriculture and they put forward all the leaks but the year after the same people were employed to carry out the "next stage" irrespective of knowing where the funds are going!

If such a program is like any NGO program then....those initiating it know of the faults!

It is up to those funding and running the program to tighten their grips and for courts to finally grow a pair and do something about CRIMINALS!
 
I read a report on an NGO program on agriculture and they put forward all the leaks but the year after the same people were employed to carry out the "next stage" irrespective of knowing where the funds are going!

If such a program is like any NGO program then....those initiating it know of the faults!

It is up to those funding and running the program to tighten their grips and for courts to finally grow a pair and do something about CRIMINALS!

Good points, but when international donors try to set up such auditing programs, the local agencies do not like that at all. Besides, it is not their responsibility to deal with the domestic law and order situation.
 
Good points, but when international donors try to set up such auditing programs, the local agencies do not like that at all. Besides, it is not their responsibility to deal with the domestic law and order situation.
No but it is their responsibility to ensure the funds reach the cause!
2ndly, local agencies ARE a problem and they are CHOSEN by the NGOs....if NGO saw in previous report problems, why dont they approach different agencies or teams? We are a population of 200 million....laziness, convenience is causing loss of funds!
 
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