Wessex Mead (Trowbridge) Rotary Club

 Polio knows no borders. Carriers frequently move from one country to another and the virus can reappear in previously poliofree countries. In 2007 there were cases of polio in nine African countries although polio is only endemic in one of them. But, thanks in large part to Rotary International and to the 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide, the disease will soon be all but a memory.

 Polio can only be prevented through immunisation, which has been successful in eradicating the disease in all but four countries - Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nigeria - in the last 25 years. Polio mainly affects children under five years of age, but a vaccine almost always protects a child for life – that is why most of you have already been vaccinated. The cost of immunisation is very little – 50p can immunise a child against polio for life.

One of the greatest challenges to the effort is a funding shortage. Much needed assistance will come from Rotary. To date, Rotary has contributed US$633 million to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. Rotary reaches out to governments to obtain vital financial and technical support. Since 1995, donor governments have contributed more than $3 billion to polio eradication, due in part to Rotary’s advocacy efforts.

Once eradicated, polio will join smallpox as one of only two diseases ever eliminated. And, Rotary will continue serving as a leader in humanitarian programmes, with the hope that its success will inspire others to work in similar ways for the public good.

 

thanks for life