Eradicating polio in Pakistan - for all

This bilateral development assistance project aims to contribute to the interruption of wild polio and vaccine-derived polio throughout Pakistan. It seeks to address gender barriers to immunization to ensure all girls and boys receive the polio vaccine. Pakistan is one of the last 2 remaining polio endemic countries in the world (Afghanistan is the other) where the wild poliomyelitis (polio) virus continues to threaten the health and well-being of girls and boys. This project aims to continue the expansion of immunization in rural remote and high-risk areas in Pakistan and enhances transmission detection. The project also aims to improve health and nutrition services and outcomes for women and children. This project builds on Canada’s long-standing commitments and efforts to eradicate polio. It aims to support and advance polio eradication efforts in Pakistan between 2023 to 2024 and 2025 to 2026. Project activities include: (1) strengthening the capacity of the polio program to immunize all girls and boys in rural and remote areas in Pakistan; (2) deploying special vaccination strategies for mobile and refugee populations in difficult to access locations; (3) engaging with communities on integrated health services. This includes including maternal and child health nutrition water sanitation hygiene and essential immunization; and (4) maintaining polio surveillance and detection systems by testing sanitation points and strengthening community-based surveillance networks. The project is implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) expanded immunization in Pakistan particularly in rural remote and high-risk areas; (2) improved access and utilization of integrated health services in underserved polio priority communities and communities with demonstrated resistance to polio vaccination; and (3) enhanced detection and surveillance of polio transmission and enhanced response in high-risk communities in Pakistan.