The Indian government proposes to close National Polio Surveillance Network centers.

• The Indian government plans to phase down the National Polio Surveillance Network (NPSN), a WHO-established network of over 200 units.

• The transition involves a gradual reduction of NPSN units each year, from 280 in 2024-25 to 140 in 2026-27.

• The transition will begin in June and will involve a reduction in financial support from the government.

• The transition will help retain critical surveillance activities with minimal gaps.

• The NPSN will eventually be subsumed within the Integrated Diseases Surveillance Programme.

• The proposed winding down of a key unit has been met with disapproval from staffers and public health experts.

• India was declared polio-free in 2014 after three years of no cases caused by wild polio virus transmission.

• Viologist and vaccine expert Jacob John expressed concern about the move and suggested India should first replace oral polio vaccine with injectable polio vaccines.

• Job security for existing staff is also a concern, with at least four employees at each centre uncertain about their future.