The World Health Organization (WHO) and the King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Centre have forged new agreements aimed at significantly bolstering global initiatives to eradicate polio, particularly focusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Announced on February 25, 2025, during the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, the partnership involves substantial funding, with Saudi Arabia committing $500 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of WHO, expressed his satisfaction and optimism with the new collaboration. "I am pleased to sign this agreement with Supervisor-General Abdullah al Rabeeah, and to work together to turn the commitment to action," he stated. This partnership aims to accelerate efforts to eliminate wild polio and contain variant polio outbreaks affecting the persistently vulnerable regions.
Last year, Afghanistan documented over 20 confirmed cases of polio, marking it as one of the last strongholds for the virus. Despite the alarming statistics, the Ministry of Public Health rejected the report, underscoring the necessity of concerted efforts in vaccination campaigns across the two countries.
To augment these initiatives, health officials from Islamabad reported on their recent polio vaccination campaign held on February 26, 2023, which was deemed remarkably successful. The campaign set out with the goal of vaccinating 461,125 children but ended up surpassing expectations by reaching 510,659 children, illustrating the effectiveness of strategic planning and execution from local health authorities.
Health officials celebrated the campaign’s accomplishment, noting the importance of persistent immunization drives to protect children’s health and curb the disease’s spread. Officials expressed satisfaction with these outcomes during the review meeting led by the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, showcasing their commitment to eradicate polio.
Doctors on the ground stressed the need for Afghanistan and Pakistan to collaborate more effectively with international organizations such as WHO to maximize the potential of the new funding. Mujtaba Soufi, one of the healthcare professionals, commented, "I think we have not worked properly and sufficiently to eliminate this disease. We have technical teams and experienced advisors whose recommendations should be utilized to..."
Fellow doctor Ahmad Shakib Zahir echoed these sentiments, stating, "It is necessary for both countries, ... to establish a structured plan and a joint strategy so we can eliminate this disease under the framework of this program." Their remarks signal the recognition among health professionals about the need for revised strategies to address the endemic virus effectively.
The WHO also highlighted the importance of retaining and building upon these partnerships at the Riyadh Forum. Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director, noted, "KSrelief has been an invaluable partner for WHO ... and I welcome the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting health beyond its borders." She reiterated the challenges posed by the enduring presence of wild poliovirus in the region, urging concerted efforts and close cooperation among all stakeholders involved.
According to Dr. Balkhy, this year also marks the signing of new agreements aimed explicitly at polio eradication, signifying the urgency of the mission at hand, particularly as the region grapples with numerous humanitarian crises and health emergencies.
Through these initiatives and with sustained ambition, there is hope for achieving significant milestones toward polio eradication. The collaborative spirit reflected during the Riyadh Forum and the dedication demonstrated by all parties involved is pivotal as countries confront these pressing health threats. With proactive measures and strategic compliance, the global community aims to advance toward eliminating polio and securing brighter prospects for children's health across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond.