WHO Says Cutting US Aid Could Hinder Polio Eradication

JAKARTA - Senior World Health Organization (WHO) officials warn that the eradication of polio as a global health threat could be delayed unless a cut in US funds, which could potentially reach hundreds of millions of dollars over the years, has been canceled.

WHO is working with groups like UNICEF and the Gates Foundation to end polio. The planned withdrawal of the United States (US) from WHO has affected various efforts, including discontinuing cooperation with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Last week, UNICEF's polio grant was discontinued as the State Department cut 90 percent of USAID grants worldwide to align aid with President Donald Trump's 'America First' policy.

In total, the partnership lost $33 million to the US expected this year, said Hamid Jafari, director of the polio eradication program for the Eastern Mediterranean region of WHO.

It is known, the region includes two countries where wild polio is spread: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"If the lack of funds continues, it has the potential to delay eradication, and could cause more children to be paralyzed," he said, adding the longer it would take to end polio, the more expensive it would cost.

He said partners were looking for ways to overcome the shortage of funds, which would largely impact personnel and surveillance, but hoped Washington would resume funding the fight against polio.

"We are looking for other sources of funds to support priority staff and priority activities," he said.

He added that vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be protected.