UNICEF to procure oral polio vaccine and undertake social mobilisation and communication campaigns
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the summary presented by the Planning Commission for “Emergency Plan for Polio Eradication” all over the country, including FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
The approval was given during ECNEC meeting held at prime minister’s office Friday with Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in chair.
UNICEF shall procure oral polio vaccine and undertake social mobilisation and communication campaigns at district and sub-district levels on behalf of the provincial/district governments while WHO shall conduct operational activities and undertake the supplementary immunization activities on behalf of the provincial/district governments.
The finance minister said, “Financing the health services is the responsibility of the provincial governments after devolution but the federal government also feels itself responsible to arrange for the needed finances for project through agreement with donors for the implementation of such important projects. It is unfortunate that Pakistan is still facing the challenges in the eradication of polio from the country but we are sure that we will soon get rid of this disease for good.”
“This meeting of ECNEC is especially convened for approving the polio eradication plan as it is our foremost priority to make Pakistan a polio free country,” he added.
The project has a total capital cost of $326.838 million with Islamic Development Bank loan ($227 million), World Bank loan ($23.600 million), JICA grant ($8.031 million) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant ($68.207 million). Interest of the loan shall be paid by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
ECNEC considered and approved a summary moved by Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms for energy sector’s “Keyal Khwar Hydropower Project” of 128MW in District Kohistan of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. The project will be completed by WAPDA in four years time with the rationalised cost of Rs 27, 803.01 million. The project is proposed to be funded by PSDP and has a FEC of Rs 10, 988.14 million.
The project will be interconnected with national grid by 2.8 km long, 132 KV double circuit transmission line terminated at the Duber Khawar HPP switchyard. The annual energy generation is estimated at 418 GWh.
The finance minister said,“PC-1 of the projects should be realistic in terms of time and cost and the relevant secretaries should make every possible effort to complete the projects on time to save cost over runs due to lapse of considerable time.”
