17 million children to be vaccinated against polio in Pakistan

Roughly 51 million doses will be administered by the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

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More than 17 million children in Pakistan will be targeted in the second phase of a UAE-funded programme to eradicate polio.

Roughly 51 million doses will be administered by the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The programme, part of a global effort to rid the world of polio by 2018, saw Sheikh Mohammed donate Dh440 million to the global cause — with a special emphasis on Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Last week, Bill Gates, in his annual letter, said that Abu Dhabi had been a “real partner” in the fight against the disease.

In the first phase of the assistance programme’s campaign, more than 13 million Pakistani children were vaccinated, said Abdullah Al Ghafli, the programme director.

Vaccinations were administered between June and September last year.

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