ROTARY ROUND-UP: Huge reduction in number of polio cases

This week, Kim Woodley, from the Rotary Club of Worthing, gives an update on the latest and future goings-on.
Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985
Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985

One of the most life-changing actions that Rotary International has achieved is the huge reduction in the number of cases of polio.

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralysing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world.

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The poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours.

It can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five.

Polio is incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable.

In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children.

Rotary has contributed more than $1.5billion and countless volunteer hours to immunise more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.

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In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $9billion to the effort.

Today, there are only two countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Less than 370 polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2014, which is a reduction of more than 99.9 per cent since the 1980s, when the world saw about 1,000 cases per day.

However challenges still remain – the polio cases represented by the remaining 0.1 per cent are the most difficult to prevent, due to factors including geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers.

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Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks.

To ensure success every pound that Rotary commits to polio eradication will be matched two-to-one by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, up to $35million a year until 2018.

These funds help to provide much-needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents.

To join Rotarians in making a difference to the lives of others, both locally and internationally, have a look at our website: www.worthing-rotary.org, call us or come along to one of our Monday lunchtime meetings.

We would love to welcome you.

Details of Worthing’s three Rotary clubs are:

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• Worthing Rotary Club meets Monday, 12.55pm, at the Chatsworth Hotel, in The Steyne, Worthing, 01903 262222.

• West Worthing Rotary Club meets Tuesday evening at Tudor Close, Ferring, 01903 501961.

• Worthing Steyne Rotary Club meets Monday evening at The Ardington Hotel, in Steyne Gardens, Worthing, 01903 234957.

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