The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Sunday that it will contribute $1.2 billion to the effort to eradicate polio.

"Polio eradication is within reach. But as far as we have come, the disease remains a threat," Bill Gates, co-chair of the foundation, said in a statement.

The funding will go to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a national government-led public-private collaboration with the goal of eradicating the illness by 2026.

A virus that enters the central nervous system and damages cells in the spinal cord and brain is the main cause of polio.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-billionaire-philanthropist-mackenzie-scott-donates-15-million-to-help-provide-affordable-glasses-525143">Report: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donates $15 million to provide glasses to workers, farmers</a>

Those who survive the illness are frequently left paralysed or with atrophied and deformed limbs.

Children under the age of five are most usually affected by polio, although everyone who has not had the vaccine is susceptible.

According to a statement from the foundation, the GPEI has helped prevent more than 20 million cases of paralysis and reduced the number of occurrences of polio by more than 99 percent globally since its inception in 1988.

Although Malawi and Mozambique also discovered imported wild <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/london-parents-urged-to-get-their-children-vaccinated-against-polio-525146">polio cases</a> in 2022, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two nations where the polio virus is still endemic.

"Despite this historic progress, interruptions in routine immunisation, vaccine misinformation, political unrest, and the tragic floods in Pakistan in 2022 have underscored the urgent need to finish the job against polio," the foundation said.

Another concern is that "countries that had previously eliminated all forms of polio virus have recently reported new detections of the virus", such as Britain and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-and-his-truth-social-app-broke-federal-securities-laws-alleges-whistleblower-525971">US</a>, it said.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rotary International, and the World Health Organization (WHO) are participants in the GPEI (CDC).

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Sunday that it will contribute $1.2 billion to the effort to eradicate polio. "Polio eradication is within reach.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Sunday that it will contribute $1.2 billion to the effort to eradicate polio. "Polio eradication is within reach. But as far as we have come, the disease remains a threat," Bill Gates, co-chair of the foundation, said in a statement. The funding will go to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a national government-led public-private collaboration with the goal of eradicating the illness by 2026. A virus that enters the central nervous system and damages cells in the spinal cord and brain is the main cause of polio. Also read | Report: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donates $15 million to provide glasses to workers, farmers Those who survive the illness are frequently left paralysed or with atrophied and deformed limbs. Children under the age of five are most usually affected by polio, although everyone who has not had the vaccine is susceptible. According to a statement from the foundation, the GPEI has helped prevent more than 20 million cases of paralysis and reduced the number of occurrences of polio by more than 99 percent globally since its inception in 1988. Although Malawi and Mozambique also discovered imported wild polio cases in 2022, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two nations where the polio virus is still endemic. "Despite this historic progress, interruptions in routine immunisation, vaccine misinformation, political unrest, and the tragic floods in Pakistan in 2022 have underscored the urgent need to finish the job against polio," the foundation said. Another concern is that "countries that had previously eliminated all forms of polio virus have recently reported new detections of the virus", such as Britain and the US, it said. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rotary International, and the World Health Organization (WHO) are participants in the GPEI (CDC). (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Gates Foundation pledges $1.2 billion to Polio eradication

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the central government is committed to ensuring quality food to children while highlighting that well-nourished children are a key asset for a country`s strength.

Speaking at the 'Akshaya Patra'&nbsp;mid-day meal programme, where Prime Minister Modi served the third billionth meal to the children, he said that the Centre stressed on the health of the mother and child in the last five years, adding that vaccination has been a priority for his government for eradicating diseases.

&nbsp;"I am fortunate that I am serving the 300th crore thali. We are committed to ensuring quality food to our children. The first thali was served during Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s regime.&nbsp;

For a strong nation, we need well-nourished children," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Modi underlined that the Centre is committed to ensuring a healthy childhood, adding that quality food, vaccination and cleanliness are the aspects for a child to be well-nourished.

Noting that the Centre`s flagship initiative — Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was receiving global attention, the Prime Minister informed that under the programme, the lives of about three lakh people could be saved according to an international report.

Talking about the ongoing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-crore-people-take-dip-as-kumbh-mela-begins-in-prayagraj-190554">Kumbh Mela</a>, Prime Minister Modi underlined that for the first time, the New York Times newspaper had made a report on the mela`s cleanliness and lauded the administration for the same."This time, the Kumbh Mela has succeeded in giving the message of cleanliness to the country. Normally, this mela is about sadhus. But for the first time, the New York Times made a report on cleanliness in Kumbh," he added.

Heaping praises on `Mission Indradhanush`, a programme aimed at immunising children under two years and pregnant women, Prime Minister Modi said that 3.40 lakh children and 90 lakh pregnant women have received vaccination till date.

"The way that the workers are racing against time to ensure immunisation to all women and children, the day is not far when we achieve total immunisation in our country," he added.

Acknowledging that the immunisation programme is receiving worldwide attention, Prime Minister Modi said that the same has been listed under the list of `12 best practices` according to a renowned medical journal.

Stressing that banks are now accessible for all cattle owners, the Prime Minister further said, "Now, banks are offering loans up to Rs 3 lakhs. This move is going to benefit all our livestock farmers."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the central government is committed to ensuring quality food to children while highlighting that well-nourished children are a key asset for a country`s strength.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the central government is committed to ensuring quality food to children while highlighting that well-nourished children are a key asset for a country`s strength. Speaking at the 'Akshaya Patra' mid-day meal programme, where Prime Minister Modi served the third billionth meal to the children, he said that the Centre stressed on the health of the mother and child in the last five years, adding that vaccination has been a priority for his government for eradicating diseases. "I am fortunate that I am serving the 300th crore thali. We are committed to ensuring quality food to our children. The first thali was served during Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s regime. For a strong nation, we need well-nourished children," the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Modi underlined that the Centre is committed to ensuring a healthy childhood, adding that quality food, vaccination and cleanliness are the aspects for a child to be well-nourished. Noting that the Centre`s flagship initiative — Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was receiving global attention, the Prime Minister informed that under the programme, the lives of about three lakh people could be saved according to an international report. Talking about the ongoing Kumbh Mela, Prime Minister Modi underlined that for the first time, the New York Times newspaper had made a report on the mela`s cleanliness and lauded the administration for the same."This time, the Kumbh Mela has succeeded in giving the message of cleanliness to the country. Normally, this mela is about sadhus. But for the first time, the New York Times made a report on cleanliness in Kumbh," he added. Heaping praises on `Mission Indradhanush`, a programme aimed at immunising children under two years and pregnant women, Prime Minister Modi said that 3.40 lakh children and 90 lakh pregnant women have received vaccination till date. "The way that the workers are racing against time to ensure immunisation to all women and children, the day is not far when we achieve total immunisation in our country," he added. Acknowledging that the immunisation programme is receiving worldwide attention, Prime Minister Modi said that the same has been listed under the list of `12 best practices` according to a renowned medical journal. Stressing that banks are now accessible for all cattle owners, the Prime Minister further said, "Now, banks are offering loans up to Rs 3 lakhs. This move is going to benefit all our livestock farmers."

Well-nourished children a key asset for strong nation, says PM Modi

Pakistan is gearing towards eradicating polio by 2020, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said after a meeting with top WHO officials.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two remaining countries in the world with ongoing wild poliovirus transmission. The WHO along with the UNICEF and other key partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is supporting Pakistan to ensure that it achieves polio-free status.&nbsp;

"I would like to reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to the eradication of polio. We hope to end Polio in Pakistan by 2020," Qureshi tweeted Tuesday after meeting WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region Ahmed Al-Mandhari.

Pakistan has come a long way in its struggle to eradicate polio. In the early 1990s, the annual incidence of polio was estimated at over 20,000 cases a year. The number of cases has declined from 306 in 2014 to 54 in 2015, 20 in 2016 and 8 in 2017. In 2018, a total of eight polio cases have been reported.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the WHO in a tweet also applauded the Pakistan government's commitment and efforts to end polio.&nbsp;

Pakistan is gearing towards eradicating polio by 2020, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said after a meeting with top WHO officials. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two remaining countries in the world with ongoing wild poliovirus transmission.

Pakistan is gearing towards eradicating polio by 2020, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said after a meeting with top WHO officials. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two remaining countries in the world with ongoing wild poliovirus transmission. The WHO along with the UNICEF and other key partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is supporting Pakistan to ensure that it achieves polio-free status. "I would like to reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to the eradication of polio. We hope to end Polio in Pakistan by 2020," Qureshi tweeted Tuesday after meeting WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region Ahmed Al-Mandhari. Pakistan has come a long way in its struggle to eradicate polio. In the early 1990s, the annual incidence of polio was estimated at over 20,000 cases a year. The number of cases has declined from 306 in 2014 to 54 in 2015, 20 in 2016 and 8 in 2017. In 2018, a total of eight polio cases have been reported. Meanwhile, the WHO in a tweet also applauded the Pakistan government's commitment and efforts to end polio.

Pakistan hopes to eradicate polio by 2020

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