By Joyce Ekeh
Iraq has demonstrated how decades of investment in polio eradication can be transformed into lasting national health capacity after becoming the first country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to complete polio transition.
The transition, completed in January 2024 with support from the World Health Organisation, WHO, involved integrating key polio assets — including disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, community engagement and outbreak response, into Iraq’s national health system.
The country now uses domestic resources to sustain the functions, while maintaining its commitment to remaining polio-free.
Speaking during the virtual week ahead of the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, Iraq’s Technical Deputy of the Ministry of Health, Dr Hani Moussa Badr Al-Aqabi, said the transition was not simply an end to external financing for a disease-specific programme.
“It represents a strong decision by the Government of Iraq to preserve the knowledge, people, systems and infrastructure built through decades of polio eradication efforts and integrate these assets into a stronger, more sustainable national health system,” Al-Aqabi said.
He said Iraq remained committed to protecting its polio-free status and sustaining the systems developed through the eradication programme.
Polio surveillance continues
WHO said Iraq’s experience demonstrated that completing transition must not result in reduced vigilance.
Although Iraq had remained free of polio for years, the detection of wild poliovirus in 2014 exposed gaps in population immunity and underscored the need for sustained surveillance.
A rapid response prevented further spread.
Today, Iraq searches for poliovirus through 150 health facilities and 12 environmental surveillance sites, including locations considered higher risk.
The country’s national laboratory also continues poliovirus testing and, since 2025, has applied its capacity to surveillance for rotavirus.
Al-Aqabi recognised the contribution of health workers, WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and Global Polio Eradication Initiative, GPEI, partners in protecting children since the last detection of wild poliovirus.
Polio assets now fight other diseases
Director-General of Iraq’s Public Health Directorate, Dr Riyadh Abdelameer Alhilfi, said the country adopted a phased approach to transition between 2019 and 2024.
He said the strategy focused on early planning, strengthening national capacity and progressively transferring polio functions, laboratory capacity and personnel to domestic financing.
The investments, according to him, are already producing benefits beyond polio eradication.
Polio infrastructure and expertise are now supporting the detection of other diseases, including rotavirus, while helping health authorities reach zero-dose children and strengthen responses to measles and rubella.
The experience also demonstrates how national ownership can work alongside international partnership, with Iraq assuming financial and institutional responsibility while continuing to benefit from WHO technical expertise and global partnerships.
WHO urges early planning
Officer-in-Charge of WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, Dr Adham Ismail, commended Iraq’s achievement and identified lessons for other countries preparing for polio transition.
He urged countries to plan early, treat polio assets as part of national health security, develop a multi-skilled workforce and progressively shift from external to domestic financing.
Similarly, WHO Director of Polio Eradication and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Dr Jamal Ahmed, encouraged other countries in the Region to adapt Iraq’s experience to their own priorities and capacities.
He stressed that transition must be carefully planned and phased, with surveillance and laboratory capacity protected throughout the process.
Ahmed also encouraged countries without environmental surveillance systems to consider introducing them as an additional tool for early detection of poliovirus.
WHO said Iraq’s experience demonstrated that the legacy of polio eradication — including skilled personnel, expertise, surveillance systems, laboratories and community engagement — could continue protecting populations and strengthening health systems long after transition.
It said regional collaboration and the exchange of practical experience could help countries maintain polio-free status while strengthening immunisation, disease surveillance and overall health-system resilience.
The virtual week preceding the 73rd WHO Regional Committee provides a platform for Member States and partners to exchange lessons and discuss the future of health across the Region.
This year’s five sessions focus on polio, mental health support in emergencies, the future of digital health, health-system recovery in the Gaza Strip, and access to medicines and vaccines.
