Rotary International’s drive to eradicate polio
Past District Governor, chairperson of the local District Polio Plus Committee, presented a talk on Rotary International's drive to eradicate polio.
Past District Governor (PDG) Mark Doyle, chairperson of the local District Polio Plus Committee, presented a talk on Rotary International’s (RI) drive to eradicate polio from the world.
The talk was presented to the Rotary Club Bedfordview, Benoni, Johannesburg East and the e-Club on March 20.
“In 1979 RI began with a campaign to vaccinate six million children in the Philippines. By 2018 six billion children have been vaccinated worldwide.
Also read: Rotary Club of Bedfordview donates to South African Guide-Dogs Association
“RI has contributed one billion dollars in that time. Since 2013 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed a further 600 million dollars; matching RI’s contribution over that period,” said Aniki Schelin of Rotary Club Bedfordview.
She said 21 000 workers are currently operating in Pakistan to vaccinate children there.
“In 1979 there were 350 000 cases reported every month across 124 countries.
Also read: Rotary Club of Bedfordview visits El-Shammah House
“This year there have only been three cases in Afghanistan. The four remaining countries with traces of polio are Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Afghanistan. The first three have not reported any new cases for nearly two years,” said Aniki.
