Kathmandu, Jan. 14 -- Fifteen years after recording its last case of wild poliovirus, the WHO South-East Asia Region with a quarter of the world's population, continues to sustain its polio-free status while harnessing innovations and lessons from the polio programme to accelerate broader public health gains, the UN health body said.

"This extraordinary achievement followed unparalleled efforts and demonstrates what can be accomplished and sustained through unwavering government leadership, a dedicated health workforce, and strong partnerships, including with communities," said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.

On January 13, 2011, an 18-month-old girl was paralysed by wild poliovirus in Howrah, West Be...