Message from Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of World Health Organization, South-East Asia Region on World Polio Day, observed each year on 24 October

New Delhi – “The World Polio Day is a reminder of our monumental victory over polio. A victory that came through extraordinary efforts leading to polio-free certification of WHO’s South-East Asia Region in March this year. But as we recall our victory over this crippling virus, we must remain mindful that the risk of polio persists and we need to continue our efforts until polio is eradicated globally. Countries of the Region are maintaining vigilance to rapidly detect any case of importation through sensitive poliovirus surveillance systems. And we are prepared to respond vigorously to any case of importation to ensure that the poliovirus does not make the Region its home again. Polio continues to paralyse children elsewhere in the world. WHO has declared polio as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As long as there is polio anywhere, unprotected children in all countries are at risk of getting polio. As the global programme makes effort to stop polio transmission in the remaining endemic and infected countries, the WHO South-East Asia Region is working towards implementing the Polio End Game Strategy. This involves introducing one dose of injectable polio vaccine into routine immunization schedules, strengthening of routine immunization and withdrawal of the oral polio vaccine in a phased manner beginning with the trivalent oral polio vaccine.” CCI Newswire