Pakistan’s battle against polio has suffered a major setback after international donors slashed funding by up to 20 percent, forcing health authorities to revise their eradication strategy and set a 12-month deadline to wipe out the crippling disease.
The cut comes as the United States reduces contributions to global health organisations, affecting the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in Geneva, which channels support to Pakistan. Each year, nearly $250 million is spent on anti-polio campaigns in the country, with major funding from USAID, UNICEF, WHO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other partners.
With shrinking global contributions, the Health Ministry has announced a leaner campaign plan. Starting next year, vaccination drives will be shortened from five days to three, and the number of district and tehsil-level staff will be reduced.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the government will concentrate all resources to achieve eradication within a year. “Due to reduced funding, we have no option left but to eradicate polio in the next 12 months,” he said.
The minister admitted Pakistan’s fragile economy cannot sustain polio operations without donor backing. “This setback must be seen as an opportunity. In the next one year, we must eradicate polio. There is no other choice left,” he stressed.
Despite the financial crisis, officials insist the government is determined to end the decades-long fight against the virus once and for all.
