Today (October 24) marks World Polio Day, a global day to raise awareness and resources in support of the polio eradication effort.
Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a paralysing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world.
The poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in hours. It can strike people of any age but mainly affects children under five.
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Polio can be prevented by vaccines, but it is not curable. Unlike most diseases, polio can be eradicated.
According to Rotary Club of Boksburg president Derek Fox, when Rotary and its partners formed the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, there were 350 000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year.
“Today, we have reduced polio cases by 99.9%. Just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus – Afghanistan and Pakistan. Because of the efforts of Rotary and its partners, nearly 19.4 million people who would otherwise have been paralysed are walking and more than 1.5 million people are alive who would otherwise have died.
“The infrastructure we helped build to end polio is also being used to treat and prevent other diseases (including Covid-19) and create lasting impact in other areas of public health,” said Fox.
PolioPlus
For more than 30 years, Rotary and its partners have driven the effort to eradicate polio worldwide. The Rotary’s PolioPlus program was the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication by vaccinating children on a massive scale.
As a core partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary focuses on advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and awareness-building.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.2-billion (more than R30-b) and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly three billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease.
Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10-b to the effort.
Polio today
According to Fox some of the challenges that they still face is that eliminating all cases is going to take even more progress and perseverance.
“Afghanistan and Pakistan face unique challenges, including political insecurity, highly mobile populations, difficult terrain, and, in some instances, vaccine refusal and misinformation.
“With sufficient resources, the commitment of national governments, and innovations that improve access to remote areas, we are optimistic that we can eliminate polio,” said Fox.
Ensuring success
Rotary has committed to raising $50-m (R725-m) per year for polio eradication. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total commitment of $150-m (R2-b) each year.
These funds provide much-needed operational support, medical workers, laboratory equipment, and educational materials. Governments, corporations, and private donors all play a crucial role in funding.
Rotary in action
More than one million Rotary members have donated their time and money to eradicate polio, and every year, hundreds of members work with health workers to vaccinate children in countries affected by polio.
Rotary members work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute informational materials for people in areas that are isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty. They also mobilise to recruit fellow volunteers, assist in transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support.
Celebrity support
Rotary has a growing list of public figures and celebrities who support its fight against polio, including Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Actresses include Kristen Bell and Archie Panjabi, actor and wrestling superstar John Cena, supermodel Isabeli Fontana, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, action-movie star Jackie Chan, actor Donald Sutherland, boxing great Manny Pacquiao, pop star Psy, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, conservationist Jane Goodall, premier violinist Itzhak Perlman, Grammy Award winners A.R. Rahman, Angélique Kidjo, and Ziggy Marley, and peace advocate Queen Noor of Jordan.
These ambassadors help Rotary educate the public about the disease and the fight to end polio for good.
