Rotary Foundation and Polio
Rotary Foundation and Polio
At the Feb 24, 2015 weekly breakfast meeting, Rev. Jim Walters, York East member and Foundation Chairman, explained to us the importance of the Rotary Foundation, Rotary's International Branch. There are 1.3 million Rotarians out of a world population of 7 billion people. Through the Foundation, Rotarians who give Service above Self, can promote and advance world peace and understanding. Rotarians' international humanitarian activities through the Foundation give life to these words. Rev. Walters introduced our Speaker, Dr. Ben Hoover, Past District Governor of Rotary. Dr. Hoover further elaborated on the importance of the Foundation which has six areas of emphasis: world peace and conflict prevention, water and sanitation, education and literacy, maternal / child health, economic and community development and disease prevention / treatment. Historically, 
vaccination has eliminated smallpox from the world. More recently, vaccination has eliminated polio in all but three countries: Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2014, there were only 349 new cases of polio, of which 306 were in Pakistan. This has been largely achieved through the partnership of the Rotary Foundation and matching grants from the Gates Foundation. We hope that polio can be eliminated by 2018 and that the last dose of vaccine will be given in 2019. Through vaccination, disease can be eliminated. Photo, Dr. Ben Hoover
vaccination has eliminated smallpox from the world. More recently, vaccination has eliminated polio in all but three countries: Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2014, there were only 349 new cases of polio, of which 306 were in Pakistan. This has been largely achieved through the partnership of the Rotary Foundation and matching grants from the Gates Foundation. We hope that polio can be eliminated by 2018 and that the last dose of vaccine will be given in 2019. Through vaccination, disease can be eliminated. Photo, Dr. Ben Hoover