Canada reaffirms support for Pakistan's polio eradication efforts

Canada has reaffirmed its longstanding support for Pakistan's efforts to eradicate polio, continuing a partnership spanning nearly four decades as the country launches its November vaccination campaign targeting more than 24 million children. Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tarik Ali Khan joined representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF Pakistan and the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative to meet frontline polio workers and community members and acknowledge their contributions to the nationwide immunisation drive. During the engagement, the importance of frontline workers and community participation in reaching every child with polio vaccine was highlighted. The November campaign is being conducted in 97 selected districts across the country, with more than 200,000 frontline workers participating in efforts to protect children under five years of age against the crippling disease. Canada's continued partnership reflects its commitment to supporting Pakistan's polio eradication programme through international cooperation and collective efforts to protect children from lifelong disability.