Global polio body concerned for health of Ukrainian people amid escalating crisis
India Today
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) expressed concern about Ukraine’s health system after Russia's invasion.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is extremely concerned about the effects of Russia's invasion on Ukraine’s health system.
The panel said a functioning health system must be kept neutral and protected from all political or security issues affecting countries, to ensure that people have continued access to critical and essential care.
Further, it pointed out that insecurity and displacement could increase the risk of diseases such as polio. It said, we have seen time and again that large-scale population movements, insecurity and hampered access contribute greatly to the emergence and/or spread of infectious diseases, such as polio.
Ukraine is currently affected by a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak, with the most recent case detected in January 2022 (with disease onset in December 2021).
A national supplemental polio immunisation campaign targeting nearly 140,000 children -- who had not been vaccinated against polio, began throughout Ukraine on February 1, 2022. But it is currently paused, as health authorities have shifted focus towards emergency services.
Surveillance to detect and report new cases of polio has also been disrupted, adding to the risk of undetected spread of the disease among vulnerable populations.
The GPEI is working to urgently develop contingency plans to support Ukraine and prevent further spread of polio.
