The legacies of polio eradication.

Over the years it has been made clear that the eradication drive of polio virus is on the way to a successful conclusion even in countries driven by conflict or with only rudimentary health services. Worldwide in the 11 years since the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to eradicate polio estimated numbers of paralytic polio cases have fallen from over 400000 to under 20000 a year. However although qualitative evaluations in countries have mainly positive findings strong negative effects were found related to the targeting strategy and to a lesser degree to the involvement of leaders. Nevertheless it is noted that any negative effects are surpassed by the tremendous legacies that the polio eradication initiative will leave. These legacies include 1) removal of the suffering caused by the disease; 2) monetary savings on the treatment and prevention of polio; 3) a stronger infrastructure for routine immunization disease surveillance health management and the delivery of other health interventions; 4) greater visibility of health services generally and immunization in particular; and 5) establishment of a platform for preventive health services.