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2
areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition, the situation in Somalia has resulted in depriving almost one million children under 5 years of age in central and southern areas from vaccination for over one and a half years now. Recent developments in some countries of the Region also have potential impact on polio eradication, particularly in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya which borders Chad where wild poliovirus circulation is continuing. In Yemen, the disruption of routine immunization and the inability to conduct supplementary immunization activities at a time when the immunity profile shows a retreat to levels that would not be able to prevent spread of the wild virus should it be introduced, is another concern. Further, the unrest in some parts of the newly developing state of South Sudan may not permit timely identification of viral circulation as has evidently happened before.
Although these issues are of serious concern, the most urgent situation is Pakistan where we have an uncontrolled epidemic. I have visited Pakistan three times during the past year, including once with the Director-General. In each of the three visits, polio eradication was at the top of the agenda of our discussions with the senior national officials, including H.E. the President, the Prime Minister, governors, ministers of health, parliamentarians and many others.
I can, without any hesitation, say that the commitment of the leadership (federal and provincial) to polio eradication is beyond any doubt. There are some excellent initiatives including the Presidential Emergency Action Plan and the Prime Minister’s Initiative. As well, the programme has made several efforts and innovative approaches. Yet the expected impact has not been seen in the form of reduction in the number of cases. On the contrary, we saw an increase in cases in 2010 and 2011. I am sure you will recall that in your previous meetings I have been emphasizing that the reason behind this situation is the inadequate commitment at the health delivery level. Several efforts are now being made to address this issue of which I am sure you will hear details from the Pakistan team.
In addition to these efforts, the Technical Advisory Group for Pakistan and Afghanistan met in March this year and after reviewing the situation made detailed recommendations which will be presented to you later in the programme.
The situation in Pakistan is not so very bleak. There are some indicators of recent progress, including the disappearance of wild poliovirus type 3 for more than six months, both from cases and from environmental samples. Also, the number of viral lineages of WPV1 is regularly decreasing.
3
In Afghanistan, from 11 January to 26 April this year, i.e. for three and a half months, we had no cases of polio. The three cases that appeared after this period were in the security- compromised areas of the south, as has been the case for the past few years. The national programme, supported by partners, has been introducing innovative measures to achieve access. I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the very strong commitment of national authorities to polio eradication.
Mr Chairman, Dear Colleagues,
I wish to end on a positive note and indicate that 18 countries have remained polio free for many years, by maintaining protective levels of immunity in their populations through high levels of routine immunization, coupled with supplementary immunization activities in foci of low immunization coverage, and they are maintaining certification standard surveillance.
Without taking more of your time, once again, I wish to thank you for your continued support to our efforts to achieve the long awaited target of polio eradication and it remains for me to wish you a pleasant stay in Sharm El Sheikh.
