The partnership aims to eradicate polio once and for all. Credit: THOM LEACH / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images.

The European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have announced a €1.1bn ($1.17bn) financing collaboration to tackle polio and make healthcare systems more accessible in low-income countries.

The funding partnership is expected to include €500m ($531m) for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), including World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, €500m ($531m) in investments and grants to strengthen health systems and €80m ($85m) grants for technical assistance.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Polio is a serious viral infection that mainly affects children in low-income countries. The virus attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis and sometimes death. According to WHO, wild poliovirus cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988. However, wild poliovirus remains an endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with most of the cases being found in just four subnational regions.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said: “With 1 billion euros supported by our European investment strategy Global Gateway, we will invest in stronger health systems globally and local vaccine and medicines production, manufacturing, and administration, where it is most needed. Global cooperation has helped us put an end to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now it will help us get rid of polio once and for all.”

The GPEI was launched in 1988, as a collaborative effort between the WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Last year, at the World Health Summit in Berlin, global leaders pledged $2.6bn in funding towards the GPEI’s 2022-2026 strategy to end polio. Seventeen countries and organisations pledged contributions, with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledging $1.2bn.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.