Syed Mustafa Kamal, Federal Minister for Health, met with his Saudi counterpart in Riyadh to discuss ways to deepen cooperation across the health sector and accelerate efforts against polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Ministry of Health spokesperson said.
The meeting focused on planning and coordination for the next national polio campaign and broader health collaboration. Both ministers reviewed progress to date and agreed on continued information sharing and technical cooperation to strengthen field operations and reach vulnerable communities.
Minister Mustafa Kamal underscored that polio eradication remains a top priority for the Government of Pakistan and that under the leadership of the Prime Minister the country is carrying out measures with full resolve. He highlighted that four national polio campaigns have been conducted so far in 2025 and that these drives ensured vaccine access for some 45 million children.
According to the minister, high-quality implementation of recent campaigns has produced a marked reduction in polio cases, yet he cautioned that the mission is not complete and sustained effort is essential to finish the job. The Saudi delegation commended Pakistan’s initiatives and assured continued cooperation in upcoming immunisation efforts.
Both sides reaffirmed that the longstanding and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia provide a strong foundation for joint public health action. The meeting closed with mutual commitment to keep collaboration active, particularly on cross-border coordination and upcoming polio campaigns designed to protect children across the region.
