World Polio Day (October 24)
Rtn RS Panesar, Club Foundation Chair
Rotary Club of Dimapur
World Polio Day is observed on 24th October every year to raise awareness, advocate for vaccination and reaffirm our commitment to eradicate Polio. Polio is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause lifelong paralysis and even death.
The Day was established by Rotary International more than three decades ago to commemorate the birth of Dr. Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis.
The Beginning:
Rotary's war against Polio began on 29th September 1979 at Makati, Philippines. The event was organized jointly by Rotarians and the Ministry of Health, Philippines. Rotary International President James L. Bomar put the first drops of Polio vaccine into a child's mouth. It was Rotary's first 3H - Health, Hunger & Humanity Programme, which immunized about 6 million children at a cost of $7,60,000.
The grand success of this project led Rotary to adopt Polio Eradication as its top priority and officially launch the Polio Plus Programme in 1985. In 1988, Rotary became a founder member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) along with WHO, UNICEF and CDC.
Our Contribution:
Till date, Rotary has contributed more than 2.1 Billion Dollars and countless volunteer hours to protect 3 Billion children in 122 countries.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has partnered with Rotary in a 2:1 matching ratio. Every year Rotary raises over $50 Million, matched by $100 Million by the Gates Foundation. These funds provide operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment and help in engaging community leaders to build trust in vaccines.
Present Status:
Due to continuous advocacy and vaccination, only two countries - Afghanistan and Pakistan - remain Polio endemic. We have successfully reduced Polio cases by 99.9%.
But we are not done yet. We cannot stop until the last case is gone. If we stop now, within 10 years, 2,00,000 children will be paralyzed every year. Polio anywhere is a risk everywhere.
Surveillance - The Eye and Ear:
To track the virus, two types of surveillance are done - indirect testing through waste water, as Polio virus lives in human intestines and waste, and direct testing of every child with Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP).
India was declared Polio-free in 2014, but surveillance continues to prevent importation.
Our Salute:
More than 1 million Rotary members have donated their time and resources. Every year during NIDs, Rotarians work side by side with health workers, UNICEF and other partners to vaccinate children, even in areas isolated by conflict, geography and poverty.
World Polio Day is not a celebration of victory. It is a day to convey our gratitude to thousands of health workers and volunteers who made this success possible.
Let us all Unite for Good and keep our promise until every child is safe and Polio is history.
