Saudi Arabia reaffirms $500 million for polio eradication in Pakistan, Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its $500 million commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), targeting polio eradication efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the virus remains endemic. Originally pledged in April 2024, this funding is expected to significantly aid in eliminating wild polio, with the GPEI now aiming to eradicate the disease by 2027 and vaccine-derived polio by 2029. Despite the United States' decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization, it continues to contribute 17% to the GPEI's budget for 2024-2025. The ongoing humanitarian crises in affected regions pose challenges to achieving these goals, yet Saudi Arabia's involvement underscores a growing commitment to global health initiatives. WHO officials and other partners view this funding as potentially transformative in the quest for a polio-free world. The GPEI has noted that polio cases have been reduced by over 99% since its inception in 1988, but persistent threats remain, highlighting the critical need for continued support.