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Dept for International Development

Answer

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on eradicating polio in Africa. [183714] Hilary Benn: The UK is fully committed to eradicating polio. DFID has been working with G8 partners, other donors and the World Health Organisation-led Global Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) to help ensure that there is sufficient financial and political commitment to eradicate polio by end 2005. Since 1988 the UK has contributed some £225 million (including bilateral commitments) to the PEI out of a total global commitment of US $3 billion. Through DFID's country programmes, we support national efforts in Africa to step-up polio immunisation, and strengthen health systems and routine immunisation. Since 1997, the UK has committed £1.5 billion to strengthening health systems globally. Already millions of children have been spared the crippling effects of polio and only six countries remain polio-endemic (including Egypt, Niger and Nigeria), compared with 125 in 1988. However this progress is now at risk following the importation of the poliovirus into 10 previously polio-free countries across Africa. DFID welcomes the decision by 22 African nations in May, to launch a massive immunisation effort to prevent a possible epidemic in the region. DFID has been working closely with the PEI and other donors to secure the funding and political commitment necessary to support the efforts of affected countries and to resolve the risks to the polio eradication campaign. At the Sea Island summit in June, G8 members including the UK promised to take all necessary steps to eradicate polio by 2005. The UK holds the G8 Presidency in 2005 and we shall maintain the momentum needed to ensure that the G8 and other public and private donors provide sufficient political and financial resources to eradicate polio once and for all.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

183714; 423 c1256-7W;423 c1257W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Development aid Africa International assistance Disease control Vaccination Polio

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk