Dr. Sabawoon’s Presentation at the University of Tokyo 

On September 14th, 2023, Dr. Wrishmeen Sabawoon spoke at the University of Tokyo’s Department of Public Health and Health Policy on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). GPEI, a monumental global health effort, aims to eradicate polio, once endemic in 125 countries but now confined to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dr. Sabawoon's presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the GPEI and its significance in the context of Afghanistan's evolving political landscape. He underscored the remarkable progress achieved in reducing polio cases globally and emphasized the critical role of the GPEI's strategy for years 2022-2026. Moreover, he shed light on the progress and some positive developments following the Taliban's return to power in 2021 i.e. improved security situations; bans on poppy cultivation, and launching of some mega economic projects. Albeit this progress, there are contemporary challenges encompassing women's restrictions from work, education, and leisure. There are humanitarian crises in the country, where nearly 20 million people need food support and around 4 million are suffering from malnutrition. Afghanistan’s health system is dependent on donor grants, which have declined over the years, and there is an urgent need for healthcare support in the country.

Dr. Sabawoon demonstrated how access to children for polio vaccination significantly improved after the political change, with healthcare workers successfully reaching millions more children during National Immunization Days (polio vaccination campaigns). The main challenge to polio eradication is the mosque-to-mosque modality of polio campaigns in some parts of the country, where vaccinators cannot go door-to-door to put oral polio vaccine drops at the mouths of the children. House-to-house (door-to-door) modality is the best approach for implementation of the polio campaigns. Further advocacy is required to convince the leadership of the de facto authority to allow house-to-house polio campaigns in areas where it is not allowed. The second main challenge to polio eradication is missed children due to refusal of polio vaccine or other reasons.

The GPEI 2022-2026 strategy currently needs a total of 4.8 billion USD to fully realize global eradication. Japan has been a critical donor of polio eradication efforts over the years, and Dr. Sabawoon emphasized the need for continued and increased support during this last mile. He conveyed a message of hope and collaboration, emphasizing that despite the remaining challenges, concerted international efforts can pave the way for a polio-free world.