Geneva, Switzerland – The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first quarterly ‘data compilation’ against the global milestones of the new Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Strategic Plan 2010-2012. The status update provides basic epidemiological information on milestones and major indicators.

This update is part of a series of reports which will inform the deliberations of a new Independent Monitoring Board (IMB). The IMB is being established at the request of stakeholders and the policy-setting bodies of WHO, to facilitate independent evaluation of progress against the global milestones of the GPEI Strategic Plan.

Expected to convene for the first time in late 2010, the IMB – comprised of global experts from a variety of fields relevant to the work of the GPEI – will evaluate whether global milestones and major indicators are on track, at risk or missed. The IMB is expected to convene on a quarterly basis to review progress and assess emergency corrective action plans, as necessary. Reports from the group are presented to the heads of the spearheading partner agencies WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF, as well as to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and will be made publicly available.

Additionally, the IMB is expected to assess the financial risks to fully the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2010-2012. As at October 2010, the GPEI faces a global funding gap of US$810 million for the life of the plan.