Oral Answers to Questions

Martin Horwood Excerpts
Wednesday 9th April 2014

(10 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Featherstone Portrait Lynne Featherstone
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for that, because strengthening health systems and the capacity of health workers is a key answer in addressing the immunisation deficit.

Martin Horwood Portrait Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD)
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I proudly congratulate the Government on spending 0.7% of national income on eradicating poverty worldwide, much of it on polio eradication. The last three countries with endemic polio all have significant Islamic populations. Is the Department committed to working with religious and Islamic leaders to try to build community support for polio eradication and to protect health workers in those countries?

Baroness Featherstone Portrait Lynne Featherstone
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My hon. Friend raises the issue of the frustrating endgame on polio. GAVI will play a major role in delivering that endgame, but we are working with everyone to try to ensure that vaccinations are seen as good and not some kind of problem.