Polio Eradication Program Get Financial Boost

Global Polio Eradication initiative

Global Polio Eradication initiative

During day number three of the annual World Economic Conference, being held this year in Davos, Switzerland, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and British Prime Minister David Cameron announced substantial additional funding for their campaign to eradicate polio world-wide, known as the Global Polio Eradication initiative.

In the announcement, Cameron upped the pledge from the U.K. from the equivalent of $30 Million U.S. to $60 Million. The extra funds should equate to vaccinations for about an additional 45 million children according to the Prime Minister. Additionally, Cameron said that they would work to get other donors to match the British funding at a rate of 5 to 1.  

Gates, who along with his wife Melinda chair the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that the foundation would be donating $100 million to the cause.

About Alyssa Jayden

Alyssa Jayden - One of our newest writers, Ms Jayden brings a fresh perspective to a variety of topics. She focuses most of her efforts covering our Health and Travel sections. a_jayden@newstaar.com