UAE polio campaign in Pakistan benefits over 16 million children

Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Emirates Polio Campaign (EPC) in Pakistan has administered over 28 million vaccines doses between July and September.

The move benefited over 16 million children in the country.

Since launching in 2014, the campaign has delivered more than 483 million polio vaccines, reaching 86 million children across Pakistan.

The EPC is part of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme that was launched under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to provide help and humanitarian assistance to the people of Pakistan.

Sheikh Mohamed has committed more than $250 million to eradicate the disease, and in 2019 hosted the Global Polio Eradication Initiative raising more than $2.8 billion.

"We know there is still work ahead in our goal of ensuring every child has a chance at a healthy future and we remain committed to the last mile in eradicating this disease," said Abdullah Khalifa Al-Ghafli, director of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme.

Earlier this year, when vaccination programmes around the world were halted due to the pandemic, the EPC devised ways to administer polio vaccinations safely.

During July and August, frontline health workers distributed hundreds of thousands of masks and sanitisers to homes as well as health facilities. In addition, the EPC also shared digital material on COVID-19 prevention using WhatsApp and social media platforms.

The announcement comes just a day before the World Polio Day is observed.