ISLAMABAD, Aug 15: The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has released the first tranche of $32.6 million to the World Health Organisation to support the polio eradication programme in Pakistan.

The amount released to WHO on August 13, which is one of the implementing agencies of the programme in Pakistan, is part of the IDB financing of $227mn for supporting its polio eradication programme in Pakistan.

The financing has been approved in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), whereas Pakistan would repay the principal amount of financing to the IDB while the BMGF would support Pakistan in paying the cost of the financing, IDB said in a statement.

“This disbursement is the first milestone towards achieving the noble cause of eradicating Polio” said Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, the Chairman of the IDB Group. He also acknowledged that it was the commencement of a dedicated pursuit by the IDB to developing innovative ways of financing development in partnership with philanthropists like BMGF and non-traditional donors.

It is worth mentioning that another disbursement for the UNICEF, which is the implementing agency for acquisition of vaccine and social mobilisation for vaccination campaign, is under way, IDB statement said.

Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali had reaffirmed the IDB commitment to global effort to support polio eradication during his participation in the World Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi in April this year.