The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) says US$4.8 billion budget is needed to implement a new strategy and achieve promise of a polio-free world. 

The call has been made at a virtual event of which the Initiative is seeking new commitments to fund its 2022-2026 Strategy.

According to the Initiative, the four-year strategy, if fully funded, will see the vaccination of 370 million children annually for the next five years.

It will also see the continuation of global surveillance activities for polio and other diseases in 50 countries.

The investment case outlines how support for eradication efforts will enable essential health services in under-served communities and strengthen the world’s defences against future health threats.

Meanwhile, Germany has announced that it will co-host polio pledging moment during the 2022 World Health Summit in October.

“A strong and fully funded polio programme will benefit health systems around the world.

“That is why it is so crucial that all stakeholders now commit to ensuring that the new eradication strategy can be implemented in full,” said Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany.

Recently, Malawi’s health minister Khumbize Chiponda said the re-emergence of polio in country after three decades was a tragic reminder that until polio is eradicated globally.

“I urge all countries to unite behind the GPEI and ensure it has the support and resources it needs to end polio for everyone everywhere,” she said.

Currently, Malawi is in a second round campaign of mass polio immunisation targeting 2.9 children of less than 5 years of age.