Afghanistan
Although Afghanistan is still an endemic country, provisional national documentation reportshave beensubmitted annually since 2005 and discussed during the meetings of theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
National Certification Committee for Afghanistan
Year of establishment:2005
Chaired by:
Dr Gholam Aram
Dean Medical Faculty of Hirat
Head of Pediatrics
Hirat
Afghanistan
Bahrain
The National Certification Committee ofBahrain submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 1999. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2000–2003 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationwas submitted, including 2004 and 2005 data,and was accepted in 2006.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for the years 2006–2012.
National Certification Committee for Bahrain
Year of establishment:1994
Chaired since 2010 by:
Dr Khaireya Mossa Hussain
Director of Public Health Directorate
Ministry of Health
Manama
Bahrain
Previously chaired by:
DrSameer Abdulla Khalfan
Public Health Director – Ministry of Health
Membership ended by:2009
Egypt
The National Certification Committee ofEgypt submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 2006. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2007–2008 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationwas submitted with data up to 2009 and was accepted in 2010.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for the years 2010-2012.
National Certification Committee for Egypt
Year of establishment: 1998
Chaired by:
Dr Salah Madkour
Former Undersecretary for Studies & Research
Ministry of Health
Cairo
Egypt
Djibouti
The National Certification Committee of Djibouti submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data upuntil theend of 2002. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2003–2006 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including 2007 and 2008 data, and accepted in 2009.
An abridged annual update for 2009 was received in 2010 and its acceptance was deferred until the National Certification Committee could provide evidence that surveillance had improved to the required level for certification.The abridged annual update for 2010 was not submitted by theNational Certification Committeewho could not guarantee with certainty that Djibouti was polio-free because of weak surveillance. In 2012 an abridged Annual Update for 2011 was submitted by the National Certification Committee covering data of 2010 and 2011, but the National Certification Committee did not conclude in the report that they are confident that Djibouti is polio-free due to shortcomings and weaknesses in surveillance. Accordingly, the Regional Certification Commission did not accept the report and endorsed the recommendations of the National Certification Committee to continue efforts which have already started to improve surveillance. An updated report is expected in 2013.
National Certification Committee for Djibouti
Chaired since 2012 by: 
Dr Ahmed Abdi Ali
Pediatrician
Balbala Hospital
Djibouti
Previously chaired by:
Dr Ahmed Hassan Boulaleh
Director Health Services
Djiboutian Army
Membership ended by 2012
Dr Ali Barre Matan
Dean of Medical School of Djibouti
Membership ended by 2010
Dr Emma Acina
Pediatrician – Private Sector
Membership ended by 2008
Iraq
The National Certification Committee ofIraq submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 2001. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2002–2006 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationhas beensubmitted, including 2007 data, and was accepted in 2008.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for years 2008–2012.
National Certification Committee for Iraq
Year of establishment:1995
Chaired by:
Professor Najim El-din Al-Ruznamji
Pediatrician
President of the Scientific Council of Pediatrics
Iraqi Board of Medical Specialization
Baghdad
Iraq
Islamic Republic of Iran
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2002–2003 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationhas beensubmitted, including 2004 and 2005data, and was accepted in 2006.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for years 2006–2012.
National Certification Committee for Islamic Republic of Iran
Year of establishment: 1997
Chaired since 2013 by:
Awaiting nomination
Previously chaired by:
Dr Bijan Sadrizadeh
Secretary
Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences
Membership ended by 2013
Jordan
The National Certification Committee ofJordan submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 1999. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2000–2003 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationhas beensubmitted, including 2004 and 2005 data, and was accepted in 2006.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for years 2006–2012.
National Certification Committee for Jordan
Year of establishment: 1994
Chaired by:
Professor Najwa Khuri-Bulos
Chair of the Department of Pediatrics
Jordan University Hospital
Amman
Jordan
Kuwait
The National Certification Committee ofKuwait submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 1999. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2000–2005 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationhas beensubmitted, including 2006 and 2007 data, and was accepted in 2008.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for years 2008–2012.
National Certification Committee for Kuwait
Year of establishment: 1996
Chaired since 2009 by:
Dr Fayka Al-Raqam
Consultant Pediatrician
Head of Pediatric Department
Al-Sabah NBK Hospital
Kuwait
Previously chaired by:
Dr Ali Youssef Al-Saif
Assistant Undersecretary – Kuwait Ministry of Health
Membership ended by:2008
Lebanon
The National Certification Committee of Lebanon submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 2001. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received from Lebanon for the years 2002–2005 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including 2006 data, and was accepted in 2007.
Abridged annual updates were received and accepted for the years 2007–2008.The abridged annual update for 2009 was received in 2010 and its acceptance was deferred until the National Certification Committee could provide evidence that surveillance had improved to the required level for certification.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates were submitted and accepted foryears 2010-2012.
National Certification Committee for Lebanon
Year of establishment: 1995
Chaired since 2012 by:
Dr Ghassan Issa
Pediatrician
Pediatrics Department
Sahel General Hospital & Lebanese University
Beirut
LEBANON
Previously chaired by:
Carlo Akatcherian
Hotel Dieu Hospital and Saint-Joseph University
Membership ended by:2012
Libya
The National Certification Committee of Libya submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data upuntil theend of 2002. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2003–2005 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including 2006 data, and was accepted in 2007.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates were received and accepted for the years 2007–2012.
National Certification Committee for Libya
Year of establishment:1995
Chaired by:
Dr Majdi Kara
Consultant Pediatric Neurologist
Tripoli
Libya
Morocco
The National Certification Committee ofMorocco submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 2001. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2002–2005 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationhas beensubmitted, including 2006 data, and was accepted in 2007.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for years 2007–2012.
National Certification Committee for Morocco
Year of establishment:1995
Chaired by:
Professor Mohamed Yahiaoui
Chef du Service de Neurologie
Hôpital des spécialités
Rabat
Morocco
Oman
The National Certification Committee of Oman submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up until the end of 1999. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updateshave beenreceivedfor years 2000–2003 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certificationhas beensubmitted, including 2004 and 2005 data, and was accepted in 2006.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates have been received and accepted for the years 2006–2012.
National Certification Committee for Oman
Year of establishment:1995
Chaired since 2010 by:
Dr Seif Salem Al-Abri
Director, Department of Medicine
Royal Hospital
Muscat
Oman
Previously chaired by:
Dr Abdulla Al-Riyami
Senior Consultantand Head Department of Medicine – Royal Hospital
Membership ended by: 2009
Pakistan
Although Pakistan is still an endemic country, provisional national documentations reportshave beensubmitted annually since 2004 and discussed during the meetings of theEasternMediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
National Certification Committee for Pakistan
Year of establishment: 2001
Chaired since 2013 by:
Dr Tahir Masood Ahmad
Professor Emeritus
The Children's Hospital
Lahore
Pakistan
Previously chaired by:
Professor Tariq Bhutta
Principal and Professor of Pediatrics (Retd)
Nishtar Medical College
Membership ended by 2013
Occupied Palestinian territory
The National Certification Committee of occupied Palestinian territorysubmitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up to the end of 2005. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were receivedfor years 2006–2008 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification with data up to 2009 was accepted in 2010.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates were received and accepted for the years 2010-2012.
National Certification Committee for occupied Palestinian territory
Year of establishment:1996
Chaired since 2005 by:
Dr Mowaffaq Amer
Pediatrician
Tulkarm
West Bank
Occupied Palestinian territory
Previously chaired by:
Dr Anwar Doudin
Neuro Pediatrics – Director of Yamamah Hospital
Membership ended by:2004
Qatar
The National Certification Committee of Qatar submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up to the end of 2000. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2001–2003 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including 2004 and 2005 data, and accepted in 2006.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates were received and accepted for years 2006–2012.
National Certification Committee for Qatar
Year of establishment:1999
Chaired since 2008 by:
Dr Mohd Ahmed M Sh Janahi
Chairman, Department of Pediatrics
Hammed Medical Corporation
Doha
Qatar
Previously chaired by:
Dr Khalifa Al-Jaber
Assistant Undersecretary Technical Affairs
Ministry of Health State of Qatar
Membership ended by:2005
Dr Ibrahim Abdu Al-Shaar
A/Director Department of Preventive Health
National Health Authority, State of Qatar
Membership ended by:2007
Saudi Arabia
The National Certification Committee of Saudi Arabia submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up to the end of 1999. Itwas accepted by theEsatern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2000–2003 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including 2004 and 2005 data, and accepted in 2006.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates received and accepted for the years 2006–2012.
National Certification Committee for Saudi Arabia
Year of establishment:1995
Chaired by:
Professor Ghazi Jamjoom
Consultant Virologist
King Abdul Aziz University
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
Somalia
Somalia submitted its basic national documentation for certification in 2005 with data up to the end of 2004, but due to the outbreak in 2005 the basic national documentation wasre-submitted in 2009two yearsafter the last case. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2009–2011 and accepted.
National Certification Committeefor Somalia
The National Certification Committee for Somalia has notyetbeen formally established.
Sudan
The National Certification Committee of Sudan submitted its basic national documentation for certification in 2003 with data up to the end of 2002. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
An annual update for 2003 was received and accepted, but updates stopped due to the outbreaks.
After the 2004 outbreak revised basic national documentation was accepted in 2006. After thesecond outbreak, that started in 2008, revised basic national documentation, including Sudan and South Sudan was accepted in 2010.
Due to the political changes in Sudan and the official separation between the north and the south,separate annual update reports for 2010,2011 and 2012 were submitted,from the north and from the south, and they were all accepted.
National Certification Committee for Sudan
Year of establishment:
Chaired by:
Professor Abdal Rahman Al-Kabbashi
Head of Department of Community Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
Ahfad University
Omdurman
Sudan
National Certification Committee for South Sudan
Chaired by:
Dr Rose Poni Gore
Assistant Professor of Community Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Juba
Juba
South Sudan
Syria
The National Certification Committee of the Syrian Arab Republicsubmitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up to the end of 1999. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2000–2005 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including data up to 2006, and accepted in 2007.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates were received and accepted for the years 2007–2012.
National Certification Committee for the Syrian Arab Republic
Year of establishment:1994
Chaired by:
Professor Ahmed Deeb Dashash
Head of Community Medicine Department
Faculty of Medicine
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Tunisia
The National Certification Committee of Tunisia submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up to the end of 1999. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2000–2005 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including data up to 2006, and accepted in 2007.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates were received and accepted for the years 2007–2012.
National Certification Committee for Tunisia
Established Year:1997
Chaired by:
Professor Ahmed Ziribi
Professor of Infectious Disease
La Rabta Hospital
Tunis
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
The National Certification Committee of United Arab Emirates submitted its basic national documentation for certification with data up to the end of 2000. It was accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission.
Annual updates were received for the years 2001–2003 and were accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted, including 2004 and 2005 data, and accepted in 2006.
Abridged annual updates and annual updates received and accepted for the years 2006–2012.
National Certification Committee for United Arab Emirates
Year of establishment:2000
Chaired by:
Professor Yousef Abdulrazzaq
Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology
Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
United Arab EmiratesUniversity
Al-Ain
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
The National Certification Committee of Yemen submitted its basic national documentation for certification in 2003 with data up to the end of 2002. Itwas accepted by theEastern MediterraneanRegional Certification Commission, but due to the outbreak in Yemen the basic national documentation was resubmitted and accepted in 2008.
An annual update for 2003 was received and accepted, then updates were stopped due to the epidemic. The annual update for 2008 was received three yearsafter the last case and was accepted in 2009. Annual updates were received for the year 2009–2010 and accepted.
Final national documentation for regional certification was submitted in 2012 and Yemen completed phase I of laboratory containment, but due to the significant value of the data that should appear in the final national document the Regional Certification Commission did not accept the report as it did not comprehensively and accurately cover all items expected to be included in the final national document.An updated report with data up to 2012 was submitted in 2013 and accepted.
National Certification Committee for Yemen
Year of establishment: 1996
Chaired by:
Professor Ahmed Al-Haddad
Head of Community Medicine Department
Faculty of Medicine
Sana’a University
Sana’a
Yemen
