Polio News
Posted by Thie Convery
ROTARY CELEBRATES A POLIO-FREE NIGERIA
On Friday, July 24, 2015, Rotary International celebrated the one-year mark since the last case of wild poliovirus was found in Nigeria. That’s the longest the country has ever gone without a case of polio, and it’s a critical step on the path toward polio eradication. If the World Health Organization removes Nigeria from its list of polio-endemic countries, which may happen later this year, only two will remain: Pakistan and Afghanistan. This achievement could signal that the world will soon see a polio-free Africa, a major milestone in global public health. Our Clubs in District 7090 have long supported efforts to end this crippling disease, through donations, fundraising activities and public awareness.
Despite this milestone, experts caution that the world must remain vigilant. The next two years will be critical to ensuring that Nigeria remains on track and keeps polio from returning. The support of donors, governments, and partners like Rotary is needed more than ever to maintain high-quality polio campaigns in Nigeria—particularly in remote and underserved areas—and to prevent the disease’s return.
Over the last 30 years, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have made remarkable progress toward a polio-free world, and more than 13 million people—mainly in the developing world—who would otherwise have been paralyzed, are walking because they have been immunized against polio. This milestone is a significant testimonial to our Rotarian efforts to honour our promise to the children of the world to eradicate Polio.
Rotary International’s goal of polio eradication is closer than ever; we are “this close”! Thanks to our work—both past and ongoing—in Rotary District 7090, we will be a part of history.
Brothers and Sisters in Rotary, let's End Polio Now!