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ISLAMABAD: The government has approved an emergency action plan for polio eradication with an estimated cost of Rs27.467 billion, said sources on Friday.
The major share of foreign funding for the project would come from Japan, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In a hurriedly called special meeting of Planning Commission’s Central Development Working Party (CDWP) with Planning Commission’s Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeem Ul Haq in chair on Friday afternoon, it was decided that the principal amount of the foreign loan amounting to Rs24.189 billion would be repaid by the federal government, while the interest payments would be borne by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, provided the provinces meet loan conditionalities. If they fail to do so then the federating units would have to bear the interest payments.
The CDWP recommended the polio eradication project to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, which aims to fulfill the resource gap in polio eradication from January 2013 to December 2015.
According to the working paper presented before the CDWP, a total amount of $302.509 million would be required for the polio eradication initiative over the next three years, i.e. 2013 to 2015.
Giving reasons for the urgency in approving the project, official sources said that the IDB’s board was scheduled to consider the approval of loan for the emergency action plan for polio eradication in its meeting to be held on Monday but without the approval of a competent forum, the Economic Affairs Division could not extend guarantee on behalf of the government.
A reversal in eradication efforts has been witnessed with an upsurge in the number of polio cases since 2008, as Pakistan reported 117 cases in 2008, 89 in 2009, 144 in 2010 and 198 in 2011. This year, till October 24, 2012, the total number of polio cases stood at 47 from 27 districts/ tribal agencies.
According to the project’s working paper, Pakistan, as a partner in the global polio eradication initiative, is committed to the goal of a polio-free world and the country achieved progress in this regard since commencement of the polio eradication initiative in 1994.
In order to curb the increase in the number of polio cases, frequency of the national immunisation days, sub-national immunisation days, short interval additional doses and mop-up operation were significantly increased. The continued transmission of polio virus in Pakistan and the rising numbers of polio cases since 2008 have turned the initiative into a national emergency. In addition, Pakistan now risks becoming the last remaining threat for achieving global polio eradication.
The working paper further states that there would be a funding gap of $14.24 million during the current calendar year. Of this, $4.53 million would be needed for social mobilisation activities planned through the UNICEF.
The remaining amount of $8.798 million would be required for the operational cost managed through the World Health Organisation. —Mehtab Haider
The major share of foreign funding for the project would come from Japan, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In a hurriedly called special meeting of Planning Commission’s Central Development Working Party (CDWP) with Planning Commission’s Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeem Ul Haq in chair on Friday afternoon, it was decided that the principal amount of the foreign loan amounting to Rs24.189 billion would be repaid by the federal government, while the interest payments would be borne by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, provided the provinces meet loan conditionalities. If they fail to do so then the federating units would have to bear the interest payments.
The CDWP recommended the polio eradication project to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, which aims to fulfill the resource gap in polio eradication from January 2013 to December 2015.
According to the working paper presented before the CDWP, a total amount of $302.509 million would be required for the polio eradication initiative over the next three years, i.e. 2013 to 2015.
Giving reasons for the urgency in approving the project, official sources said that the IDB’s board was scheduled to consider the approval of loan for the emergency action plan for polio eradication in its meeting to be held on Monday but without the approval of a competent forum, the Economic Affairs Division could not extend guarantee on behalf of the government.
A reversal in eradication efforts has been witnessed with an upsurge in the number of polio cases since 2008, as Pakistan reported 117 cases in 2008, 89 in 2009, 144 in 2010 and 198 in 2011. This year, till October 24, 2012, the total number of polio cases stood at 47 from 27 districts/ tribal agencies.
According to the project’s working paper, Pakistan, as a partner in the global polio eradication initiative, is committed to the goal of a polio-free world and the country achieved progress in this regard since commencement of the polio eradication initiative in 1994.
In order to curb the increase in the number of polio cases, frequency of the national immunisation days, sub-national immunisation days, short interval additional doses and mop-up operation were significantly increased. The continued transmission of polio virus in Pakistan and the rising numbers of polio cases since 2008 have turned the initiative into a national emergency. In addition, Pakistan now risks becoming the last remaining threat for achieving global polio eradication.
The working paper further states that there would be a funding gap of $14.24 million during the current calendar year. Of this, $4.53 million would be needed for social mobilisation activities planned through the UNICEF.
The remaining amount of $8.798 million would be required for the operational cost managed through the World Health Organisation. —Mehtab Haider
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