“One of humanity’s most incredible technologies fits in a tiny vial…” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
In the margins of this week’s UN General Assembly in New York, Dr Tedros thanked leaders, partners and donors whose commitment is bringing the world closer to be healthier and safer for future generations of children. “One of humanity’s most incredible technologies fits in a tiny vial. The polio vaccine has brought us to the brink of eradicating an ancient disease for good.”
“Money spent on polio doesn’t disappear once the job is done – it keeps strengthening the systems that keep people safe”
A new Devex interview with Luxembourg’s Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs explains how investments in polio go beyond one disease – they strengthen surveillance, build cold chain capacity, and empower women health workers delivering services far wider than polio alone.
Summary of new polioviruses this week
- Afghanistan: seven WPV1 cases
- Pakistan: one WPV1-positive environmental sample
- Chad: one cVDPV2 case
- DR Congo: three cVDPV2 cases
