Press Release 2007

USAID Mission Director Highlights U.S.-India Partnership to Eradicate Polio

September 6, 2007

LUCKNOW - United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director George Deikun attended a polio immunization session at which dozens of children were vaccinated against this debilitating disease today in Lucknow.  Mr. Deikun also met with UNICEF-supported community coordinators during his visit to the Bal Mahila Chikitsalya (Redcross). 

Mr. Deikun's visit to the session reaffirms the United States' commitment to partner with India in the fight to eradicate polio.  USAID provides approximately $5.6 million (Rs. 22.9 crore) annually to UNICEF, the World Health Organization and other non-governmental organizations.  The majority of USAID's assistance for polio eradication is focused in Uttar Pradesh.

In the past year, health care providers in Uttar Pradesh successfully conducted seven polio immunization rounds. The eighth round of polio immunizations will begin on September 9, 2007, with the Sub-National Immunization Day event for all 70 districts in Uttar Pradesh. The success of these immunization rounds is testimony to the high level of commitment of the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh in polio eradication.