Inside Canada’s Push to Finish the Fight Against Polio – Global Citizen

Global Polio Eradication: Progress and Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Global Health Imperative

The global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis represents a landmark public health initiative directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being. While nations like Canada have been polio-free since the 1990s due to routine vaccination, the disease remains a threat until global eradication is achieved. Decades of coordinated action have brought the world to the cusp of this goal, preventing millions of cases of paralysis and demonstrating the efficacy of global health collaboration.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Established in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a testament to the power of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This multi-stakeholder partnership has been the driving force behind a greater than 99% reduction in global polio cases. The initiative’s success is built on the collaboration between key international actors:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• UNICEF
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Rotary International
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

When the GPEI was formed, polio paralyzed approximately 1,000 children daily in over 125 countries. The partnership’s work has led to the eradication of two of the three wild poliovirus strains.

Current Status and Challenges to Achieving SDG 3

Despite monumental progress, the final steps toward eradication face significant hurdles that intersect with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Wild poliovirus remains endemic in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2024, these nations reported 99 cases of wild poliovirus type 1, with transmission continuing into 2025. The primary challenges are concentrated in specific high-risk areas and include:

• Persistent conflict and insecurity
• Population displacement
• Limited community confidence in health systems

Overcoming these barriers is essential to ensure that no child is left behind, a core principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Strategic and Financial Framework for Eradication

To address these final challenges, the GPEI has updated its strategic plan, extending its timeline to 2029 with a revised budget of US$6.9 billion. The strategy sets clear targets aligned with SDG 3:

1. Interrupt all remaining wild poliovirus transmission by 2027.
2. End outbreaks of variant polioviruses by 2029.
3. Reinforce surveillance and response systems in 50 countries.

However, a projected funding shortfall of US$1.7 billion through 2029 threatens the continuity of field operations and the achievement of these goals. Sustained international investment is critical to maintaining momentum.

Canada’s Contribution to Global Health Security

In a demonstration of its commitment to SDG 17 and global health, Canada announced a CA$151 million contribution to the GPEI over four years in September 2024. This pledge is particularly significant amid reduced development assistance from other major donors. Consistent financing from mid-sized contributors like Canada is vital for ensuring that frontline operations proceed without interruption. The bipartisan support for this initiative within the Canadian government, as highlighted at a Parliament Hill reception, underscores the shared understanding that global health security is a collective responsibility.

Systemic Impact on Public Health Infrastructure and SDG 3 Targets

Investment in polio eradication yields benefits far beyond a single disease, strengthening health systems in line with SDG 3’s broader targets. The infrastructure established by the GPEI serves multiple public health functions:

• Disease Surveillance: Acute flaccid paralysis surveillance and environmental wastewater monitoring act as early-warning systems for poliovirus and other pathogens.
• Laboratory Networks: Facilities built for polio testing now support the monitoring of other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles.
• Emergency Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, polio-funded staff and equipment were repurposed to support national detection and response efforts.
• Service Delivery: GPEI-supported health workers provide a range of essential health services to remote, displaced, and underserved communities, improving overall vaccination uptake and health equity.

Economic and Social Rationale for Sustained Investment

The economic case for completing polio eradication is compelling and aligns with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). According to CDC modeling, fully funding the GPEI strategy could generate an estimated US$33.1 billion in economic savings by 2100. These savings accrue from preventing the costs of long-term paralysis treatment and avoiding expensive emergency responses to future outbreaks. This investment is a cornerstone of global health security, reinforcing protection against multiple infectious disease threats.

Conclusion: The Final Push for a Polio-Free World

The eradication of polio is technically feasible. The outcome now hinges on sustained political and financial commitment to support the operational network built over three decades. Contributions from partners like Canada are crucial for closing the financing gap and ensuring that frontline health workers can reach every last child. Completing this mission will not only mark a historic public health achievement but will also serve as a powerful affirmation of the global community’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses two Sustainable Development Goals:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The entire article is centered on the global effort to eradicate polio, a communicable disease. It discusses vaccination programs, disease surveillance, public health infrastructure, and the prevention of paralysis and death, all of which are core components of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

     The article heavily emphasizes the role of global cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships in the fight against polio. It details the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) as a partnership between organizations like the WHO, UNICEF, CDC, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, and Gavi. It also highlights the financial contributions of countries like Canada and the need for sustained international funding, which are central to SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Several specific targets can be identified within the relevant SDGs:

   • Targets under SDG 3:

     • Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines. The article is entirely focused on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a program dedicated to eliminating polio through widespread vaccination. It discusses the funding, logistics, and delivery of vaccines to “interrupt remaining transmission.”
     • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The article explicitly describes the public health infrastructure built for polio eradication, which serves this target. It mentions “Acute flaccid paralysis surveillance,” “laboratory networks,” and “Environmental surveillance monitors wastewater for traces of the virus” as “early-warning systems” that also help monitor other diseases like measles and were used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

   • Targets under SDG 17:

     • Target 17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments. The article directly addresses this by mentioning Canada’s “CA$151 million contribution over four years to GPEI” and notes the financial challenge of a “projected US$1.7 billion shortfall through 2029 based on reduced development assistance from several major donors.”
     • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources. The GPEI is a prime example of this target in action. The article lists its partners: “the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Indicators for SDG 3 Targets:

     • Incidence of Polio: The article provides specific numbers to track the prevalence of the disease. It states that in 1988, polio “paralyzed about 1,000 children every day,” while in 2024, Afghanistan and Pakistan “reported 99 cases of wild poliovirus type 1.” This directly measures progress in combating the disease.
     • Vaccine Coverage: While not giving a specific percentage, the article implies this indicator by stating that since the GPEI began, “cases have fallen by more than 99%” and that the current challenge is “reaching the final pockets of transmission” to vaccinate “every remaining child.”
     • Disease Surveillance Capacity (Proxy for Indicator 3.d.1): The article describes the systems in place for early warning and risk management. It details “Acute flaccid paralysis surveillance,” “laboratory networks,” and “Environmental surveillance” as key components of the public health infrastructure, indicating a country’s capacity to detect and respond to health threats.

   • Indicators for SDG 17 Targets:

     • Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Health Programs (Proxy for Indicator 17.2.1): The article provides concrete financial data related to development assistance. It mentions “Canada’s pledge” of “CA$151 million” and the GPEI’s “US$6.9 billion” budget, alongside a “US$1.7 billion shortfall.” These figures are direct measures of financial resource mobilization for a global health goal.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.b: Support R&D and access to affordable vaccines for diseases affecting developing countries. 3.d: Strengthen capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of global health risks.	Incidence of Polio: Reduction in cases by over 99% since 1988; 99 cases reported in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2024. Vaccine Coverage: Implied by the goal of reaching “every remaining child” and the massive reduction in cases due to vaccination. Disease Surveillance Capacity: Existence of “Acute flaccid paralysis surveillance,” “laboratory networks,” and “Environmental surveillance” as early-warning systems.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.2: Developed countries to implement official development assistance commitments. 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development through multi-stakeholder partnerships.	Official Development Assistance (ODA): Canada’s CA$151 million contribution; GPEI’s projected US$1.7 billion funding shortfall. Multi-stakeholder Partnership Mobilization: The existence and operation of the GPEI, which includes WHO, UNICEF, CDC, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, and Gavi.

Source: globalcitizen.org