WHO takes India off polio list

India, which has been polio-free for over a year now, has been taken off the list of polio endemic countries by the World Health Organisation. The Health Minister announced this at the polio summit 2012 in New Delhi. There were only four countries in the WHO endemic list, including Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan. The Prime Minister, while lauding the achievement, said the real credit goes to 23 lakh volunteers who repeatedly vaccinated children even in the most remote areas. He said the success of the effort shows that “team work pays”. After being removed from the list, India will have to remain polio free for the next two years to achieve the polio-free status with concerted efforts and an emergency preparedness and response plan, WHO representative in India Natela Menabde said. She said it is not just an achievement for India but a major progress for global polio eradication.