Two opinion pieces address the WHO’s recent declaration of polio as a global public health emergency.

Huffington Post: Polio Emergency Signals Risk But Also Resolve
John Lange, senior fellow for global health diplomacy at the United Nations Foundation

“…Taking into account both the progress we’ve made and the very serious challenges that have arisen in recent months, I believe this polio emergency clearly signals two things: 1) The gains we make in the fight against polio will remain fragile until we finish the job and eradicate the disease. … 2) The world is collectively committed to ending polio. … Without a concerted and coordinated global effort, we could lose some of the precious ground that we’ve gained against the disease over the past several years…” (5/12).

New York Times: Eradicating Polio
Nancy Aossey, president and chief executive of the International Medical Corps, and William Garvelink, the corps’ senior adviser for global strategy

“…The best hope for stemming the reversal of fortunes in the global fight to eradicate polio requires the leadership and cooperation of critical regional organizations working together with local and international NGOs, like the International Medical Corps, in the affected countries. Why? Because in the eyes of some countries where polio still persists, the United Nations and Western donors are not welcome. … The African Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should be given the world’s support” (5/12).