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ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel have discussed Pakistan’s ongoing polio eradication drive and ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the health sector, the health ministry said on Wednesday. The meeting took place in Riyadh on the sidelines of the Ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of his delegation. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which share long-standing diplomatic and strategic ties, have recently sought to deepen collaboration across multiple sectors, including health. “Both ministers held detailed discussions on efforts to eradicate polio from Pakistan and Afghanistan,” said health ministry spokesperson Sajjad Shah. “They also reviewed preparations for the upcoming national polio campaign.” Kamal reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to eliminating the disease, calling it a top government priority. He said Pakistan had conducted four nationwide vaccination campaigns this year, reaching nearly 45 million children, which has led to a significant decline in cases. “Under the leadership of the prime minister, Pakistan is united in its resolve to eradicate polio,” Kamal said, noting that while progress had been made, the mission was “not yet complete.” The Saudi delegation commended Pakistan’s efforts and assured continued cooperation in polio eradication. Pakistan remains one of only two countries, along with Afghanistan, where the poliovirus remains endemic. Thirty cases have been reported nationwide so far this year, compared with 71 cases in 2024. Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis, but it can be prevented through repeated doses of the oral vaccine administered to all children under five.
