Latest news with #GPEI
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Malawi Secures Gains Against Polio, Strengthens Health Systems for the Future
As Malawi celebrates its first anniversary after officially closing its reimported wild poliovirus (WPV1) outbreak, the country is taking strategic steps to sustain hard-won gains and strengthen its broader health system. On 24 April 2025, health leaders, partners, and stakeholders gathered for the National Polio Transition Planning meeting, an important milestone in ensuring that the infrastructure built to eradicate polio continues to serve Malawi's communities for years to come. From Polio Response to Long-Term Resilience Polio resources - from trained personnel to disease surveillance systems-have played a key role in emergency health responses across Malawi. The transition planning process aims to protect these assets and ensure their integration into the national health system. In line with the Polio Transition Strategic Framework, Malawi's plan supports national ownership of essential polio functions, including surveillance, immunization, and outbreak response. 'Transitioning from GPEI support means we must strengthen our ability to manage core functions nationally. This is vital to keep Malawi polio-free and improve our capacity to detect and respond to other vaccine-preventable diseases,' said Dr. Patrick Wataya Chirwa, Chair of the National Certification Committee. In May 2020, Malawi (alongside the rest of the African Region) was certified free of indigenous wild poliovirus. However, the detection of a reimported case from Southern Asia in 2022 served as a powerful reminder that polio remains a global threat. Malawi's health authorities responded swiftly and decisively, successfully interrupting transmission by May 2024. By January 2025, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) had classified the country as low-risk on its global polio watchlist—a testament to Malawi's strong response and surveillance systems. However, maintaining that status means planning for the future. As external polio funding declines, Malawi must close gaps in workforce and financing. The Polio Transition Plan will help secure critical capacities and align them with the Ministry of Health-led Immunization Programme, reinforcing the country's ability to prevent and respond to outbreaks. Sarah Wanyoike, from WHO AFRO's Eastern and Southern Africa inter-country support team, highlighted how lessons from Malawi's recent outbreak response can shape a stronger, more resilient health system. 'We must integrate service delivery and strengthen surveillance across the board—not just for polio, but for all vaccine-preventable diseases,' she said. The plan focuses on optimizing existing systems, integrating surveillance efforts, and building multisectoral collaboration, linking immunization, emergency preparedness, One Health approaches, and community engagement. At the meeting, Dr. Neema Kimambo, WHO Representative to Malawi, emphasized that the transition is not just a health sector responsibility. It requires cross-cutting collaboration among government agencies, local health authorities, partners, and civil society. 'Malawi's success will depend on strong coordination between the Ministry of Health, EPI, the Public Health Institute of Malawi, district councils, health partners, NGOs, and communities themselves,' Dr. Kimambo noted. These efforts aim to ensure that the systems and knowledge built through the polio programme continue to benefit Malawians, supporting everything from emergency response to routine immunization and disease surveillance. Malawi's National Polio Transition Plan is a blueprint not only for sustaining polio eradication efforts but also for advancing universal health coverage and equity. As the country moves from emergency response to long-term resilience, WHO and partners remain committed to supporting a smooth and sustainable transition—helping Malawi stay polio-free and healthier for generations to come. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Malawi.
Zawya
27-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Angola responds strongly to the polio virus emergence
In response to a recent polio outbreak in Benguela province, Angola has launched a polio vaccination campaign. The campaign aims to protect over half a million children and reaffirm the country's commitment to eradicating disease. During the launch ceremony, Dr Fekadu Lemma, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) coordinator in Angola, said, 'This campaign is an act of protection, solidarity, and hope for Angola's future. Polio is not only an invisible threat, but it can also cause permanent physical damage, such as paralysis.' Despite significant progress since the interruption of the wild poliovirus in 2011 and Angola being certified polio-free in 2015, the country now faces a new challenge. The outbreak has resulted in 13 confirmed poliovirus cases in Benguela, Cubal, Dombe Grande, and Bocoio municipalities. In response, the Ministry of Health, supported by the WHO and GPEI partners, is conducting an intensive door-to-door vaccination campaign from 27 to 29 June. The campaign aims to vaccinate over 554,000 children under the age of five. Dr Cátia Katchiuko, the deputy governor for economic and social affairs of Benguela province, reinforced the government's commitment: 'This campaign is a clear demonstration of our dedication to the health and well-being of our children. With the support of our partners, we have made great progress, but we know that the mission is not yet complete. Eradicating polio is a collective struggle — and we are all in this together.' In accordance with the GPEI, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined five strategic steps to ensure the successful eradication of polio in the country. These steps include: a) Strengthening routine immunization, with a focus on children who have not received any doses; b) Conducting high-quality campaigns with independent monitoring and rapid corrections; (c) Strengthening polio surveillance, including surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis and environmental surveillance; (d) Increasing community involvement by engaging local, religious and traditional leaders; and (e) Ensuring the sustainability of actions by integrating lessons learned from polio into other public health programmes. The vaccination campaign in Benguela province is part of this approach, given the province's importance in the context of the polio outbreak, which poses the highest risk of spreading at national and international levels. This is especially pertinent given the province's population density, history of poliovirus circulation, and its role as a logistics hub for other provinces. Around 5,000 people, including health professionals and community volunteers, have been mobilized for the current polio vaccination campaign, with an investment of approximately $3.6 million, mainly funded by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative through WHO and UNICEF. The WHO Representative in Angola, Dr Indrajit Hazarika, concluded: 'As a father, I know that vaccinating a child is an act of love. It guarantees them a fundamental right and opens the door to a healthier and more promising future.' 'Polio does not respect borders, but neither should our determination. Every child vaccinated brings us closer to a polio-free future. Eradicating polio is possible, but only if all levels of government, partners, and communities work together. We cannot stop now. Our generation will be remembered for having the courage to complete this mission.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Trekking Far And Wide To Eradicate Polio In Pakistan
A look at the dedicated health workers crossing Pakistan to reach 45 million children in one week with the lifesaving polio vaccine, with support from UNICEF and Rotary International. A husband and wife health worker team ride camelback to deliver the polio vaccine to children on their route in Pakistan. The couple is part of a massive national campaign to vaccinate 45 million children under 5 against wild poliovirus. Four decades ago, wild poliovirus paralyzed hundreds of children every day, with an estimated 350,000 cases in more than 125 countries. Today, polio is on the brink of eradication with just two endemic countries left: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The path to this remarkable public health milestone began in 1988 when UNICEF, Rotary International and other partners formed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to spearhead a massive vaccination campaign that has decreased cases globally by over 99 percent. GPEI, along with national government and community health partners, vaccinates 400 million children against polio every year. These campaigns prevent an estimated 650,000 cases of paralysis and save up to 60,000 children's lives each year. This immersive video follows teams of vaccinators in Pakistan as they traverse the country, by any conveyance necessary — on foot, by motorbike and even camelback — to reach children living in the country's most remote areas. In less than one week, 45 million children under 5 will be visited, identified and vaccinated against polio. Watch the video to see polio vaccinators in action UNICEF and Rotary International are working together to create a polio-free world for children Until polio transmission is eliminated in every country, all countries remain at risk. To fully eradicate polio, no child can be missed and there is no time to lose. Ending polio will be a historic public health milestone, making polio the second infectious disease, after smallpox, to be certified eradicated. Because of the experience, support and partnership of UNICEF and countless Rotary members across the decades powering and driving forward millions of dedicated vaccinators, we are almost there. Learn more about UNICEF and Rotary International's longstanding partnership. UNICEF does not endorse any brand, company, organization, product or service.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Outbreak of variant type 1 polio in Madagascar declared over
Madagascar has successfully halted the transmission of variant poliovirus type 1, following recommendations from a rigorous, independent Outbreak Response Assessment (OBRA) to declare the outbreak closed. This achievement marks a major milestone in the country's ongoing efforts towards polio eradication. The outbreak, which started in 2020, posed a serious public health threat, particularly to under 5 children but also to unvaccinated adults. In response, the government – through the Emergencies Operations Centre – in collaboration with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), swiftly launched a series of emergency vaccination campaigns. This effort, backed by strong political commitment from the highest levels, including the President and First Lady of Madagascar, successfully reached over 19 million people with life-saving polio vaccines. As a result, no new detections have been reported since September 2023. Meeting the criteria for outbreak closure is a major achievement. For the certification to be met, a country must ensure high population immunity, strong surveillance performance (evidence that no transmission was missed), and at least 12 consecutive months without poliovirus detection (either in humans or environmental – sewage/wastewater). 'The progress made in recent years in the immunization and eradication of polio is a hopeful sign. Today, polio is finally eradicated. Together, we have proved that it is possible to overcome limits and build lasting change. Let's continue to act, raise awareness and join forces to give every child a healthy future', said H.E. Mrs Mialy Rajoelina, The First Lady of Madagascar and immunization ambassador. At the outbreak's peak in September 2023, a total of 287 cases had been confirmed, including 45 cases of acute flaccid paralysis and 44 community cases, 198 positive environmental surveillance detections in wastewater. Key to halting polio transmission in Madagascar was the country's intensified surveillance system, which enabled swift detection of poliovirus in both human cases and environmental samples. Enhanced case investigation, community engagement, and innovative vaccination strategies, including house-to-house immunization efforts, were instrumental in stopping the spread. Cases were spread across 30 districts in the country's 13 regions and two paralytic cases were reported in adults in January 2023, which placed the country in a unique position that required innovative responses. Four large-scale vaccination campaigns were carried out in 2023, enabling Madagascar to reach 95% vaccination coverage which was pivotal in stopping the transmission and closing the polio outbreak. 'This success demonstrates that with political will, strong partnerships, and community involvement, polio outbreaks can be swiftly controlled. We must now sustain these efforts to prevent any future resurgence,' said Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa. Health authorities, supported by GAVI, Rotary, UNICEF, WHO and the Gates Foundation, continue to strengthen routine immunization, enhance surveillance, and maintain high-quality outbreak preparedness measures to mitigate the risk of future polio re-emergence, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. 'This achievement is due to strong collaboration of the government, partners and the health workers who worked tirelessly in the frontlines,' said Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. 'Madagascar offers a beacon of hope for polio eradication efforts across Africa, but we must remain vigilant to ensure no further outbreaks occur. Immunization is a child's fundamental right, no matter where they are.' GPEI partners have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Madagascar in sustaining polio-free status and boosting overall immunization coverage. 'The end of this outbreak is a testament to what's possible when we strengthen routine immunization and expand vaccination coverage" said Thabani Maphosa, Gavi's Chief Country Deliver Officer. "By reaching even the most marginalized communities, we ensure no child is left behind. Continued collaboration across all sectors—government, civil society, and international partners—is essential to maintain this progress and close the immunization gap for zero-dose and under-vaccinated children." The dedication of Rotarians on the ground was also critical: "This is a proud moment for Madagascar. The closure of the outbreak represents the hard work of thousands of frontline workers, volunteers, and our national health teams who never gave up on protecting our children" said Haingo Ranoharisoa, Rotary National PolioPlus Committee Chair for Madagascar. The successful closure of this outbreak serves as a testament to the power of collective action in protecting children from preventable diseases. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Madagascar.
Qatar Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar advances in 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index
The Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) announced on Thursday that the State of Qatar has made significant progress in the 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI). According to Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy revealed in its 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI) reportQatar has made significant progress in developing its philanthropic achieved a notable leap in the overall index, reflecting the substantial transformations in philanthropic over the past seven years, surpassing the global average of 3.49 and ranking among the highest in the Arab world. According to the report, Qatar's overall philanthropic environment index rose from 2.07 in 2018 to 2.58 in 2022, reaching 3.61 in 2025, which is considered one of the highest growth rates among the evaluated countries. In a press statement, Director General of the RACA Ibrahim Al Dahimi said: 'This achievement reflects Qatar's steadfast commitment to enhancing institutional philanthropy, entrenching a culture of giving, and developing the non-profit sector as a pillar of community and national development.' (QNA)
