One part of our Rotary program last Friday was watching the video listed here https://vimeo.com/rotary about World Polio Day Global Update narrated by Ade Adepitan, a paralympic bronze medalist for Great Britian. Adepitan is a TV presenter, journalist and polio survivor. The twenty five minute video program via Zoom started by acknowledging that Nigeria hasn't had a polio case in three years which has helped keep Africa polio free. Another commentator was Bill Nye,, a science expert talking about the importance of all citizens getting the polio vaccine because it really works well.
A spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) talked about Rotary launching PolioPlus eradicating polio type 3 while there is still work to be done on immunizing type 1 which is still active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has a 2-1 match for every dollar to end polio world wide. Take some time and watch the video for more information on the Global Polio Plus update.
This year marks 30 years since Rotary launched PolioPlus, its campaign to rid the world of polio. Beginning on Rotary's anniversary, 23 February, Rotary members worldwide will be holding events to celebrate three decades of polio eradication progress.
Since 1985 Rotary and its partners have helped reduce the number of cases from 350,000 annually to fewer than 400 in 2014, and they remain committed until the disease is eradicated. Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2 billion children worldwide. In addition, Rotary's advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute over $10 billion to the effort.
Before the global scope of PolioPlus, individual Clubs with Rotary funding were attacking the disease closer to home.