Where We Work | Program
Lab Sample Transport for Polio Eradication
This program included standardized national assessments to learn and understand the realities of polio specimen referral systems (SRS) across countries which remain affected by poliovirus or at high risk of polio re-emergence. The aim, via tailored implementation plans co-created with local government and partners, is to improve the speed and reliability of polio sample transportation from health facilities to in-country or international laboratories.
Country
Global ImpactSolution
Not Affiliated to a SolutionTopic
Infectious diseaseStatus
ActiveBackground
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age; however, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the disease. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented, and vaccines are available.
The goal of this program is to help stop transmission of wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus and prevent outbreaks in non-endemic countries, by contributing to faster detection of the virus and notification of test results. The ultimate goal is polio eradication, as outlined in the new Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) strategy 2022-2026.
This program is currently in progress in: The DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Niger, Nigeria, Guinea, Cameroon, Chad, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
How it
Works
Program Overview
Assessments in all 15 countries have been completed, along with national debriefing sessions and the co-creation of costed implementation roadmaps.
We will monitor impact and outcomes in the coming months and report as we learn more.

Partners

Government
- Ministries of Health in the DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Niger, Nigeria, Angola, Guinea, Cameroon, Chad, Kenya, Ethiopia
- National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and 7 Provincial Health Departments (DR Congo)

Technical Partners
- World Health Organization (Africa Region & Country Offices)
- CIDRZ – Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (Zambia)
- UVRI – Uganda Virus Research Institute (Uganda)
- CIHEB – Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (Tanzania)
- CFHI – Centre for Family Health Initiative (Nigeria)
- Project HOPE (Ethiopia)
- IMC – International Medical Corps (Cameroon)
- FHI360 (Guinea)
- Davycas (Niger)
- ASRADD (Chad)
- Access for Humanity (South Sudan)
- Bolloré Logistics (Mozambique)
- SPEED Courier & Logistics (Malawi)
- R4H – Riders for Health (Malawi)

Donors
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation