Citing the dramatic decrease in type-1 polio cases in India as an indication that polio can be eradicated, Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, announced on 18 June that WHO’s top operational priority is to rid the world of polio.

“This is the best opportunity to finish the job,” Chan said during a joint press conference at the 2008 RI Convention in Los Angeles. “We will be mobilizing within the organization to double our efforts on the ground.”

Also answering questions from the media were WHO’s partners in the global eradication initiative: Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention; Ann Veneman, executive director of UNICEF; and Robert Scott, chair of The Rotary Foundation.

Click here to learn more and watch this very moving press conference - especially at the end.