Even though the federal government has in principle approved a three year $326.8 million emergency plan for polio eradication, it has also directed the Ministry of National Health Services (MNHS) to approach the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to settle the issue of provincial share in financing of the project and repayment of the loan.
An official source revealed that MNHS will move a summary for the consideration of CCI to address the issue of repayment of $258.4 million for the Emergency Polio Eradication Plan phase one (2012-15) and $326.8 million for the Emergency Polio Eradication Plan phase two (2016-18).
Phase two of the project was referred for approval of the executive committee of the national economic council (ECNEC) by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on December 2.
After devolution, the financing of the health services including polio is the mandate of the provincial governments. The emergency phase one of the project was agreed for a three and half year period at the request of the provincial governments, as they requested the center to bear the cost because of the emergency nature of the project.
The MNHS is of the view that the post devolution concept of umbrella PC-Is has become redundant. The provincial governments owned PC-Is could have enhanced efficiency and accountability during the implementation of the programme.
The plan will be financed through the assistance of Islamic Development Bank and World Bank. The interest rates for the loan from these two donor agencies will borne by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
According to official documents, there is 85 per cent reduction in the number of polio cases in the current year with only 38 cases reported. During the implementation stage of the project, around 698 million doses of polio vaccine will be administered to children across Pakistan.
