Funding is vital to end the scourge of polio | Letter

The UK government plans to discontinue its contributions to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) after 2026, a decision that Gillian Russell's letter highlights as extremely disheartening. This move is criticized for jeopardizing the significant four-decade-long international efforts to eradicate polio and improve children's health worldwide. The funding cut is particularly concerning as it follows the recent detection of a polio virus in London, underscoring the ongoing threat. As a member of Rotary International, a key GPEI partner, Russell has personally witnessed the dedication of health workers and the impact of vaccination efforts in countries like India. The cessation of UK funding is feared to undermine global progress against the disease and compromise the wellbeing of children globally.