CNN: Ending polio: ‘We’re on the verge of making history’
Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

“…For the first time in recorded history, the entire African continent has gone a full year without a child paralyzed by wild poliovirus. To officially certify Africa polio free, we must protect this progress through 2017. … Africa’s success should inspire and energize the world’s efforts to end polio once and for all. But our reflection shouldn’t stop there. This is also a reminder of the momentum we must sustain to wipe out polio in the two remaining endemic nations: Pakistan and Afghanistan. … [I]t will take the continued commitment of developing countries, wealthy nation governments, and individual donors to ensure we wipe out one of humanity’s oldest scourges. … As long as polio exists anywhere, we risk its resurgence — especially among the poorest and most vulnerable people. Now is the time to make certain that no child will be paralyzed from polio ever again…” (10/23).