The Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has donated 500,000 dollars to Pakistan for polio eradication programme.
The donation was formally handed over to Minister for Health, Mohammed Nasir Khan by UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Mohammad Al-Shamsi here on Friday in a ceremony at the ministry.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that this is a unique initiative of co-operation among Muslim countries.
He expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al-Nahyan for the generous support and said that this will go a long way towards strengthening the government's efforts to root out crippling poliomyelitis from the country.
Nasir expressed the hope that the existing co-operation and partnership between UAE and Pakistan would further expand in the days to come.
The minister reiterated the resolve of the government towards the cause of polio eradication and said all out efforts would be made to achieve the goal. The ambassador appreciated the commitment of the government of Pakistan towards saving its children from the scourge of polio.
He said the government of UAE has joined hands with the government of Pakistan in this noble cause to ensure that the momentum of the initiative is maintained and the required targets are achieved.
He expressed the hope that "government and people of Pakistan who are the real driving force of the polio initiative will grasp the opportunity of achieving the set goal by the end of the current year."
The WHO representative to Pakistan, Dr Khalif Bile lauded the initiative of the UAE government for coming forward to support the government of Pakistan's efforts to protect the health of children.
He expressed his satisfaction at the progress made so far by Pakistan towards achieving the goal of polio-free country. He expressed the strong commitment of the WHO towards supporting the cause.