International
Wiping out polio 'not guaranteed', support needed, Bill Gates says
LONDON - Success in the fight to wipe out polio is not guaranteed, according to tech billionaire turned philanthropist Bill Gates, whose foundation has poured billions into the effort. Gates warned against complacency in tackling the deadly viral di
Gates warned against complacency in tackling the deadly viral disease as he welcomed a $500 million (S$681 million) pledge from Saudi Arabia on Sunday (April 28) to fight polio over the next five years, bringing it in line with the U.S. as one of the biggest national donors.
However, there is still a $1.2 billion dollar funding gap in the $4.8 billion budget for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) up to 2026, a spokesperson said. The new money from Saudi Arabia will go some way towards closing that.
Saudi Arabia has supported polio eradication for more than 20 years, but the significant increase in funding comes amid a “challenging” situation, said Abdullah Al Moallem, director of health at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, the kingdom’s aid arm.
Cases of polio, a viral disease that used to paralyse thousands of children every year, have declined by more than 99per cent since 1988 thanks to mass vaccination campaigns.
