On 6 January 2000, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), will launch the final push for global polio eradication. The launch will take place in New Delhi, India. With 70% of the world's remaining polio cases, India is the key to successfully eradicating the disease world-wide by the end of the year 2000. The global initiative is spearheaded by WHO, Rotary International and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

During her first official visit of the new century, Dr Brundtland will deliver in person a New Year's Message on polio to Mr Atal Bijari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India. The message will also be sent by WHO and UNICEF to heads of state in the 30 remaining polio-endemic countries. Due to the tremendous efforts in India (and other member states) in the last few months, the goal of eradicating polio by the end of the year 2000 is now within reach.

Also present at the launch will be the Indian Ministry of Health and key partners for polio eradication: Rotary International, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as major donors.

In order to facilitate media coverage of this event:

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Broadcasters should contact: Gilles Reboux, WHO, +41 22 791 3924/2584, E-Mail rebouxg@who.int in Geneva, for advance B-roll and slides of National Immunization Days in India and around the world