The WHO warns that funding cuts from the United States may severely delay polio eradication efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan, potentially resulting in increased paralysis among children. A missing $133 million in anticipated U.S. funding threatens current vaccination campaigns. With a projected $2.4 billion shortfall through 2029, the partnership must find alternative funding to sustain its efforts, even as pledges from other nations emerge.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed serious concerns regarding the potential delays in eradicating polio, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan, due to substantial cuts in U.S. funding. This setback could lead to an increase in instances of paralysis among children if funding issues persist. The WHO collaborates with organizations like UNICEF and the Gates Foundation to combat polio, but recent U.S. actions have halted vital partnerships, including collaborations with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This year’s anticipated funding from the United States has fallen short by $133 million, according to Hamid Jafari, director of the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region. He stressed that continued funding shortages may hamper efforts in vaccination campaigns, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where polio remains a serious threat. The longer it takes to eradicate the disease, the more costly the efforts will become.
The WHO and its partners are seeking alternative funding sources to manage the impact of this shortfall, particularly regarding personnel and surveillance for vaccination activities. Despite these challenges, vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan and Pakistan are slated to continue with currently available resources. UNICEF, however, declined to comment on the matter, and officials from the Gates Foundation noted that no organization could replace the financial gap created by the U.S.
The partnership faces a substantial projected shortfall of $2.4 billion by 2029 as they come to terms with the reality that eradicating polio may take longer and incur higher costs than previously hoped. Saudi Arabia has recently pledged $500 million to support polio eradication efforts, yet the overarching funding crisis remains a significant concern for those working to end the disease.
The potential rollback of U.S. funding for polio eradication initiatives poses a critical challenge to global health efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Without immediate reversal of these funding cuts, WHO officials warn of increased paralysis cases among children and elevated costs in eradication efforts. Continued support and alternative funding solutions will be essential in maintaining vaccination campaigns and achieving polio eradication goals.
Original Source: www.arabnews.pk
