Country Progress

Polio transition efforts are focused on a subset of countries in WHO’s African, Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia Regions, where a majority of polio eradication resources were historically concentrated. Between 2018 and 2024, there were 16 priority countries¹, whilst four more countries² in the Eastern Mediterranean Region received specific attention owing to their fragility and high-risk status. Within these countries, under the leadership of national governments, national polio transition plans were developed, setting out a clear pathway to sustain critical assets, together with knowledge, expertise and tools set up to eradicate polio, to continue to serve broader health priorities.  

In 2024, the priority countries were revised to respond to a changing epidemiological and operational environment and to reflect the progress made on polio transition. Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Mali, Madagascar, Mozambique and Niger​ have been added to the priority list³. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Iraq, Libya and Kenya are being regularly monitored to prevent backsliding on key indicators.

Planning for stronger, more resilient health systems

Each national polio transition plan sets out a strategy for integrating critical functions and infrastructure established by the polio eradication programme into the national health system. The national plans outline the full mapping of polio assets, key public health priorities that can be strengthened using polio assets, and a financing strategy to ensure sustainable implementation. Key stakeholders involved in this process include national and sub-national government, implementing partners like WHO and UNICEF, development partners and donors, and civil society groups. The speed of implementation is dependent on regional and country context, including the strength of the national health system and the risks associated with polio epidemiology. In recent years, countries have revised their polio transition plans to ensure they remain relevant to evolving health needs and priorities.

In parallel to the national planning process, WHO is taking steps to integrate polio staff and assets into other WHO health programmes in polio-free countries, so that WHO maintains its capacity to support Member States to strengthen their health systems and address future global health security threats.   

Country transition snapshots