Qatar participated in the 13th meeting of the Regional Subcommittee on Polio Eradication and Outbreaks at the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, which was held via video-conferencing.
HE the Minister of Public Health and the co-chair of the Committee, Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud represented Qatar in the meeting.
The meeting addressed regional developments on polio eradication and issued a statement on stopping wild poliovirus transmission in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The statement reiterated that stopping wild poliovirus transmission in both countries remains a public health emergency in the region and a top priority.
The need to mobilise all forms of political, societal, civil, financial, and advocacy support at the regional and international levels was also emphasised. This mobilisation aims to completely stop the transmission of the virus and improve regional preparedness and response. Key investments should be made in surveillance, routine vaccination, and cross-border co-ordination mechanisms to ensure the immediate detection and response to any virus outbreak.
The statement urged the international community, including donors, development entities, and partners, to continue supporting the national polio programmes in Afghanistan and Pakistan in their efforts to implement emergency plans for eradicating polio and to advocate for mobilising national and international funding to sustain polio eradication efforts.
It also called on both countries to enhance co-ordination and co-operation in eradication efforts and to mitigate cross-border transmission of the virus. This can be achieved through joint surveillance, tracking of missed vaccinations, and improving the quality and synchronisation of vaccination campaigns. (QNA)
