Scientists urge extra security for health workers in polio endgame effort

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Health workers vaccinating children against polio in troubled parts of Pakistan and Nigeria must have extra security to prevent any murders of volunteers derailing a new effort to eradicate the disease, experts say.

The plan, launched by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative – comprising United Nations bodies, health organisations, Rotary International and governments – is a strategy for the polio endgame, envisaging a polio-free world in 2018.

Last year there were 223 cases of polio in the world, down 66% on the previous year. Only three countries now have endemic polio – Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria – but without tight control there is a danger that the disease will cross borders and spread again.

Scientists in 80 countries, including Nobel laureates and the heads of public health institutions, have signed a declaration of support for the plan. Eradication of the disease is "an urgent and achievable global health priority", they say.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/11/security-health-workers-polio-endgame

[byeya]

1. It's a wonderful idea and much needed. Polio is only found in humans and this makes

eradication easier.

If these three countries don't cooperate, the only other step is total isloation. Guarding the Drs and the volunteers is much easier, cheaper and disruptive. Polio needs to become a thing of the past.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. it's gone from india? amazing.