US actions can set the elimination of polio back, says who

London: Elimination of polio as a global health threat can be delayed unless US funding cuts – possibly a total of hundreds of millions of dollars for several years – are reversed, warned by a senior world -class employee.

The WHO collaborates with groups such as UNICEF and Foundation Gates to end polio. The planned withdrawal of the United States from which it has influenced efforts, including stopping cooperation with US control and prevention centers.

Last week, UNICEF’s grant ended as the Foreign Ministry reduced 90% of USAID grants worldwide to align America’s “America” ​​policy.

Overall, the partnership is missing $ 133 million from the US expected this year, said Hamid Jafari, director of the Poliolemian Elimination Program for the Eastern Mediterranean region of the WHO.

The area includes two countries where a wild form of polio: Afghanistan and Pakistan is spreading.

“If the lack of funding continues, it may be possible to delay elimination, it can lead to more children to paralyze,” he said, adding that the more it had to end polio, the more expensive it would be.

He said the partners were working out ways to cope with the lack of funding, which would greatly affect staff and surveillance, but hopes the US will return to funding the struggle against polio.

‘We are considering other sources of funding […] Keep both priority staff and priority activities, “he said.

He said that vaccination campaigns in both Afghanistan and Pakistan would be protected.

UNICEF did not respond to commentary requests, and a Gates Foundation spokesman reiterated that no institution could cover the gap left by the US by Saudi Arabia gave $ 500 million to the eradication of polio last week.

The partnership is already facing a deficit of $ 2.4 billion by $ 2029, as it accepted last year that it will take longer and cost more to eliminate the disease than hoped.