Eradicating the disease

The European Commission, the European Investment Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have joined forces in a new financing partnership to tackle global health challenges. With an expected €1.1 billion financing package, the partnership aims to eradicate polio and enhance accessibility to health innovations for those who need them most.

The funding will support the World Health Organization and UNICEF in eradicating polio, distributing childhood immunizations, and fortifying health systems to respond to emerging health threats. This collaboration represents a substantial increase in global health funding and is part of the European Commission’s European Fund for Sustainable Development plus (EFSD ), with additional matching funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The initiative seeks to provide new funding to eradicate a human disease, address health and development challenges for vulnerable populations, and improve access to healthcare services. The partnership aspires to contribute €500 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, covering polio vaccinations for nearly 370 million children annually and supporting broader health services. Another €500 million aims to enhance the innovation capacity of health systems in low- and middle-income countries, making health innovations more accessible.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation plans to provide €250 million in grants and investments to match a €250 million investment by the European Investment Bank. This collaboration signifies a commitment to global health and development, leveraging the strengths of both public and philanthropic sectors. The initiative not only targets the eradication of polio but also seeks to build resilient health systems to address various health threats faced by vulnerable communities. The partnership underscores the importance of global cooperation in addressing health challenges and emphasizes the impact of collective efforts in achieving significant milestones in public health.

Reflection:

I'm delighted to share the positive impact of your esteemed newspaper's health campaign on my father's life. After 38 years of chain smoking, consuming about 15-20 cigarettes daily, my father, Alhamdulillah, has successfully quit smoking. It has been a month since he last smoked, and he diligently reads the health advice published daily, sharing the insights with us. I am overjoyed to inform you that his doctor has now discontinued his inhaler, and he is only prescribed one tablet. Despite suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) due to years of smoking, he has not needed the inhaler for the first time in eight years during this winter. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Greater Kashmir for its impactful initiative and urge everyone to consider quitting smoking to experience a positive transformation in their lives.

BY ABDUL BARI ZARGAR

Abdul Bari Zargar, Baghat