Karachi : World Bank approved $41 million additional financing for Third Partnership for Polio Eradication Project TPPEP to support Pakistan’s efforts to immunize 32 million children against crippling effects of polio and eradicate the disease.
When Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988, 125 countries reported estimated 350,000 polio cases each year and implementation of strategies recommended by Initiative, polio transmission cases dropped by 99% in yeat 2006 and now limited to only four countries, Pakistan among them, a World Bank statement said.
Due to large scale floods of 2010 that affected over 20 million people and areas of conflict where access to health services has been limited, there has been resurgence in number of polio cases in Pakistan. “Although Pakistan seen great progress in reducing polio over last 20 years, it remains one of few countries where it still impacts lives and recent increases in number of cases are worrying,” said Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. He said with this most recent support, Bank is assisting implementing emergency plan to eradicate disease entirely so no one would ever have to live with its devastating effects.
Prior to start of monsoon floods at end July in 2010, a total of 27 polio cases had been reported. However, these rose to 144 by year-end, compared to 89 confirmed cases in 2009. Floods forced large scale population movements resulting in large population groups living together in temporary housing with inadequate water, sanitation facilities, it said. This in turn led to exposure of people who had not been previously exposed to polio virus.
In addition, prevailing security situation affecting people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & Federally Administered Tribal Areas seriously affected immunization coverage, with estimated 90% children under 5 years no longer receiving adequate immunization.
“Pakistan can eradicate polio and needs to ensure every child under 5 years is vaccinated at each vaccination round,” said Kumari V Navaratne Project Team Leader. “Overcoming security related barriershas become critical since 75% of confirmed polio cases are from KP and FATA.”
The project is third in series since 2003 that provide financial resources to Pakistan government to procure Oral Polio Vaccine as part of global campaign. It is also part of global effort to eradicate polio and supported by innovative partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International) through UN Foundation. With achievement of agreed results, IDA credit gets paid by these partners on behalf of Pakistan government. IDA credit has 0.75% service charge,10 years grace period and 35 years maturity.PPI
