WHO LAUDS MOHAMED BIN ZAYED'S INITIATIVE TO ERADICATE POLIO

Islamabad: Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean has lauded an initiative launched by His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for global polio eradication by 2018. This came during a meeting he held yesterday with the UAE Ambassador to Islamabad Isa Abdullah Al Nuaimi. "The WHO attaches great importance to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's initiative to eradicate polio in all affected areas. The UAE, under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has spared no effort in supporting humanitarian and developmental projects all over the world," added Alwan. The meeting touched on the plans to eradicate the polio under the support given by the UAE, as well as coordination between the UAE and WHO in supporting health programmes in Pakistan. Earlier this year, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pledged a donation of USD 120 million (Dh 440 million) in support of a child health initiative to eradicate polio by 2018, worldwide. The prime focus will be in the regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where polio still remains endemic. A partnership between Sheikh Mohammed and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation made in 2011 a combined donation of US$100m (Dh 367.3million) to buy and deliver the polio vaccines to children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. – Emirates News Agency, WAM