 |
The global 'polio partnership' is spearheaded by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO, through its headquarters, regional and country offices, provides the overall technical direction and strategic planning for the management and coordination of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. WHO is responsible for ensuring all components of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Strategic Plan 2004-2008 are well implemented, and has a key role in monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of the plan. WHO also coordinates operational/basic science research, provides operational support to ministries of health, and the training/deployment of human resources. In addition, WHO has a lead role in establishing certification standard Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance (including the laboratory network), resource mobilization, donor coordination, advocacy and communication of information.
Rotary International
Rotary International is the world's first and largest humanitarian service organization with a global network of 1.2 million members in more than 160 countries. Through its PolioPlus program, established in 1985, Rotary was the first to have the vision of a polio-free world, and continues to play a crucial role in global efforts to eradicate polio. More than one million Rotary members have volunteered their time and personal resources to protect more than 2 billion children in 122 countries from polio. Rotary provides urgently needed funds - to date, the organization has contributed more than US$ 500 million, and raised an additional US$119 million in 2003. In addition, Rotary's Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Force has played a major role in decisions by donor governments to contribute over US$ 1.5 billion to the effort. That amount, combined with direct funds from Rotary, is more than half the money needed for the entire global polio eradication program. Rotary members also provide valuable field support during National Immunization Days through social mobilization and by administering the oral polio vaccine to children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The most important contribution of the Atlanta-based US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to polio eradication continues to be deployment of its epidemiologists, public health experts, and scientists to WHO and UNICEF. In addition, a number of international and national staff in WHO and UNICEF headquarters, regional, and country offices are funded by CDC grants to the two UN agencies. CDC also provides funding for oral polio vaccine required for international mass immunization campaigns and a wide range of technical expertise and laboratory support for the polio eradication initiative. This includes staff support for disease surveillance at global, regional, and national levels and investigating outbreaks of polio, especially in areas within or bordering polio-free zones. CDC works as the 'viral detective' of the four partners, using its state-of-the-art virological surveillance expertise (genetic fingerprinting) to identify the strain of poliovirus involved and pinpoint its exact geographical origin. CDC also provides assistance in the development and monitoring of the 145 members of the global polio laboratory network, including funding short-term and long-term technical support in key countries. Finally, CDC conducts research that will facilitate development of post-certification immunization and surveillance policies.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF is the lead partner in the procurement and distribution of polio vaccines for routine and supplementary immunizations and with WHO, the strengthening of routine immunization. With WHO, UNICEF participates in the implementation of intensified national immunization days (NIDs) and sub-national immunization days (SNIDs) and mop-up campaigns at country level. UNICEF provides technical assistance to national coordinators to develop action plans and secure logistics to access hard-to-reach places, including in countries affected by conflict. UNICEF also participates in the global process by which eradication policies and plans of action are developed; develops materials for training and public information; strengthens social mobilization efforts through its network of communications officers; and provides cold chain support. UNICEF is also an active partner in resource mobilization, advocacy and public information.
The polio coalition also includes national governments; private foundations such as the United Nations Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; donor governments (e.g. Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Spain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America), humanitarian organizations (e.g. the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement) and corporate partners, (e.g. Aventis Pasteur, De Beers, and Wyeth) and the World Bank.
|
|
 |
