Every year on October 24, the world unites to commemorate World Polio Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the global fight to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio)—a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. C-HEALTH joins the call to action: we are closer than ever to ending polio, but the work is not done.
Polio mainly affects children under 5 and can lead to permanent paralysis or even death. It spreads through contaminated water or food, and in areas with poor sanitation, it can spread rapidly. The good news? Polio is entirely vaccine-preventable.
Through global efforts spearheaded by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), WHO, UNICEF and other partners, cases of wild poliovirus have been reduced by over 99% since 1988.
But the threat remains, especially in communities with low immunization coverage. If polio is not completely eradicated, we risk a resurgence that could paralyze thousands of children every year.
In 2025, the goal remains urgent: Close the immunization gaps, strengthen routine vaccinations, and support global health systems to detect and respond quickly to any outbreak. With political will, strong community engagement, and continued funding, polio can become only the second human disease—after smallpox—to be wiped off the face of the earth.
What We Must Do
- Promote full vaccination of all children, especially in underserved areas.
- Fight misinformation about vaccines through community education.
- Support health workers, the heroes who deliver vaccines even in the hardest-to-reach places.
- Encourage surveillance and rapid response systems to track any cases.
- Sustain funding and global partnerships until eradication is confirmed.
- Get your health insurance as it covers all your immunization.
You don’t have to be a health worker to make an impact. Parents, community leaders, religious groups, youth advocates, and local NGOs all have a role to play. Spreading accurate information, ensuring every child is vaccinated, and supporting immunization campaigns can make the final push possible.
In communities where poverty limits access to care, health insurance remains critical. Programs like DOT insurance, NHIS and other health insurance packages provide families with access to regular healthcare, including routine immunizations, without out-of-pocket financial strain.
Promoting health insurance is not just good policy—it’s a long-term investment in public health resilience.
Polio is preventable. The vaccine is safe. The end is in sight. But we must act together—decisively and inclusively—to finish the job. On this 2025 World Polio Day, let’s renew our commitment to a polio-free world.
Together, we can make polio history.