UAE s laudable drive to save lives: paper
Date
5/16/2016 2:07:42 AM
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI, 16th May, 2016 (WAM) -- A UAE newspaper has said that the eradication of polio is vital for the health of Pakistan's children. It is one of the few countries in the world where the crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease is still around. The World Health Organisation recently documented that cases of polio are on the rise in Pakistan.
In an editorial on Monday, the Khaleej Times said, "In this context, the United Arab Emirates assistance programme to provide doses of polio vaccine to children is a step in the right direction and comes at a critical moment.
"Reports say over 19 million doses were administered during the last two months, which is boost for a country struggling from acute lawlessness and confusion, owing to opposition from extremist elements over the issue. This succour is part of the UAE - Pakistan Assistance Programme, UAE-PAP, under the directives of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is also part of a larger programme to provide humanitarian and development aid, as well as support the health sector and enhance preventive programmes in Pakistan.
"The UAE has come up with a generous donation of around AED440 million to eradicate poliomyelitis by 2018. Its special emphasis is on Afghanistan and Pakistan. The UAE-funded campaign is likely to vaccinate more than 25 million children in Pakistan alone, in a three-phased manner. The epidemic is most deadly in remote areas of the country. The campaign can only be successful if it is scrutinised and implemented in good faith.
"That is exactly what the UAE is doing by monitoring it under the slogan, 'Health for All - Better Future'. The UAE-PAP is a ray of hope, which will go a long way in controlling the epidemic," concluded the Dubai-based daily.
WAM/Esraa/Moran
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