Polio Transition Strategic Framework
As the world gets closer to the goal of polio eradication, WHO, along with partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and other stakeholders, is actively working towards transitioning the assets and capacities of the polio programme to continue supporting broader health goals.
The Polio Transition Strategic Framework guides polio transition activities, with a focus on priority countries where the majority of polio eradication infrastructure and assets are located. Its Global Vision sets the overall strategic direction and is the umbrella for the strategic framework. The regional strategic plans and country action plans define implementation strategies tailored to specific regional and country contexts. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework ensures progress tracking, to enhance accountability and enable timely course corrections. The Framework builds on the work initiated under the Strategic Action Plan on Polio Transition (2018 – 2023).
These efforts ensure that essential functions are maintained in countries as they transition out support. It is an opportunity to integrate polio assets and capacities to strengthen health systems to help achieve national and global health targets, such as the sustainable development goals.
Polio transition will ensure that essential functions are maintained in countries as they transition out of GPEI support. It is also an opportunity to integrate polio assets and capacities to strengthen health systems to help achieve national and global health targets, such as the sustainable development goals.
Polio transition has evolved over time to adapt to changes in the global health landscape. A tailored approach is being taken for different regional and country contexts, which is responsive to changes in polio epidemiology and events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Polio transition is aligned with the broader health agenda, including new strategies for essential immunization, disease surveillance and emergency detection and response and universal health coverage. It is also aligned with integration work-streams and planning led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to prepare for a polio-free world, guided by the polio post-certification strategy (currently under revision).
Progress on polio transition is overseen by the Polio Transition Steering Committee, which comprises representatives from different WHO regions and programmes invested in sustaining the polio essential functions. In addition, the WHO African, Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asian Regions hold regular regional steering committee meetings to monitor regional progress. The transition process is also regularly reviewed through WHO’s governance structures. It is a standing item on the agendas of the Executive Board, World Health Assembly and Regional Committees. Progress is independently assessed by the Polio Transition Independent Monitoring Board.
The Polio Transition Strategic Framework Global Vision has three impact goals, which are in turn underpinned by eight strategic and operational outcomes of the polio transition process. These outcomes are designed to guide the strategic direction of country transition efforts to enable strong, resilient and equitable health systems.
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