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Infectious Diseases 2018 Journal of Prevention and Infection Control
ISSN: 2471-9668 Page 66
June 07-08, 2018
London, UK
8th Edition of International Conference on
Infectious Diseases
T he global polio eradication initiative (GPEI) has significantly
reduced the worldwide incidence of poliomyelitis. However,
polio remains endemic in Pakistan which poses a threat to the
success of the GPEI. Issues faced by Pakistan relate to politics,
terrorism and war, natural disasters, funding constraints,
misconceptions and inadequate infrastructure. These contribute
in hampering the aims of the GPEI and allow the deadly poliovirus
to maintain its reservoir in Pakistan. Until polio is completely
eradicated, all countries remain at risk of its re-emergence
and this is of grave concern as potentially it could reverse the
polio-free certified status of a whole World Health Organization
(WHO) region. With the increase in global travel and international
migration, even the smallest potential risk should not be taken
lightly. Recommendations are made to help to improve the state
of polio in Pakistan to make full use of the GPEI investment and
move towards a polio-free world.
The global polio eradication initiative (GPEI) in Pakistan
Nighat Jahan Nadeem
King’s College, UK
J Prev Infect Cntrol 2018, Volume 4
DOI: 10.21767/2471-8084-C1-003