UAE's commendable role in Pakistan fight against polio

A UAE newspaper has said that Pakistan is the closest it has ever been in its mission to eradicate polio from the country.

"In 2016, Pakistan reported only 20 cases. This is a remarkable feat. Less than three decades ago, polio plagued around 1,000 children a day in the country," said the English Language daily, Khaleej Times, in an editorial on Sunday.

The paper went on to say. "Much has changed since then. Intensive vaccination campaigns and significant healthcare funding by the UAE have brought down the incidence of the disease to 54 in 2015. With continued efforts in 2017, the country might see a complete eradication of this highly transmissible yet preventable disease.

The paper said that the UAE leadership's support has been indispensable. In 2011, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, joined forces with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide a total of US$100 million for the fight against polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan - the only two countries that have never been polio-free.

"In 2013, efforts were stepped up with another initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed offering $120 million in support of the global efforts to eradicate polio by 2018. Since then, millions of children have been able to live a polio-free life. Eradicating polio is expensive. Understandably, Pakistan is relying on the generosity of the UAE, and the Emirates is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts.

"Generous funding provided by the UAE has immensely helped healthcare workers in Pakistan to overcome logistical challenges and reach out to children in hard-to-reach areas. And now, the country is really close to realising its dreams. Eradication of polio is the beginning of a new phase in healthcare, one that will give children healthy living conditions which are free of the risk of disease, and reduce childhood suffering and death.

The Dubai-based daily concluded by saying, "The benefits of these efforts and donations will be felt for generations to come and the UAE will continue to play a significant role in this regard."