Japan on Monday decided to extend a soft loan of 4.993 billion yens (approximately $65 million) to Pakistan for polio eradication. An accord in this regard was signed by Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Hiroshi Oe and Economic Affairs Secretary Abdul Wajid Rana.
“Japan’s commitment to provide further support for the health sector in Pakistan, including this initiative, was given limelight in the joint statement on Japan-Pakistan Comprehensive Partnership issued during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Japan this February. The assistance is a good example of our commitment announced in the statement,” Ambassador Oe stated.
The loan will be utilised to procure 165 million doses of oral vaccines and raise allowance of vaccinators working in polio eradication campaign. The loan was extended on concessionary terms on an interest rate of 0.01 percent per annum and for repayment period of 40 years, which includes a grace period of 10 years.
The Japanese government has focused on polio eradication which is indeed a global challenge to public health. From 1996 to 2010, Japan provided approximately 87 million dollars for procurement of oral polio vaccines in collaboration with the UNICEF, aiming to wipe out polio from Pakistan. In addition, Japan has sent medical experts to Pakistan to expand routine immunisation activities.
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Oe hoped the assistance would help alleviate the sufferings of children. He said vaccine should reach the children in the most inaccessible areas, especially around the border with Afghanistan. He announced Japan would take part in the campaign to realise polio-free Pakistan.
