STATEMENT
79th World Health Assembly, 18 - 23 May 2026
Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services
Item 14.3 Poliomyelitis
Norway’s National Statement
Thank you chair
Norway supports polio prevention, surveillance and response as an integrated part of national health systems – as well as in regional and global preparedness and response systems. In our view, this is an important strategy towards preparing and sustaining a polio-free world.
We would like to see an increased focus on integration of immunization in primary health care services and believe this is a sustainable strategy for making sure that we reach all children with vaccines. In places with weak routine immunization systems, it will be important to ensure that campaigns are effective and complementary to routine systems.
We welcome the reporting on gender equality strategy and note the set targets. In future updates we would welcome reporting against these targets to better understand the performance of this work.
Collaboration between GPEI and GAVI and actors including civil society is key for ensuring operational alignment and integration on the ground, as well as for successful implementation of the polio transition agenda.
We therefore call for national governments to invest in health of their populations through building strong health systems providing integrated care, accessible for all. While donors can play a complementary role, national leadership and commitments will be key.
Thank you.