Abstract:
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative adopted by World Health Assembly in 1988 has achieved the status of largest international health effort, operating by now in every country of the world. At the start of eradication programme in 1988 more than 350 000 children were paralyzed by the disease each year, and polio was endemic in more than 125 countries. Since then, tremendous progress has been made and the disease burden has been reduced by more than 99%. With an estimation of saving 5 million people from the crippling disease. Through polio eradication efforts, a significant investment has been made in strengthening health service delivery systems in many countries. An estimated 10 million health workers and volunteers have been engaged in implementing the necessary polio supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) on a recurring basis, and at least 35 000 well-trained workers have been conducting polio surveillance. A wide range of workers and volunteers, from both inside and o...
