Polio
The Problem - Polio
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a terrible viral disease that causes paralysis
and sometimes death. Children are particularly vulnerable to the disease
which spreads by contact. Polio has now been eliminated from most of the
world and is largely confined to South Asia and Africa.
Rotary solution - PolioPlus
Rotary International is attempting to eradicate Polio from the face of
the earth by immunizing all of the world's children against polio. This
project, called PolioPlus,
is Rotary's most ambitious project to date. Since the launch of the project
in the 1980's Rotary and its many partners in the project have achieved
a 99% reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide. Over £70m
has been directed at the project through Rotarian fund raising efforts
and matching grants.
A World Health Organization representative on Polio Eradication has said "Rotarians have proven yet again that when there is a need, they will meet the challenge with enthusiasm and support. Rotarians can be proud that their hard work will contribute to conquering the last remnants of polio."
Presss release from RIBI on statement by Gordon Brown September 2005
| Our contributions | |
| June 2005 | The Club has given financial support to the Polio Plus scheme since the scheme was first started in the early 1980’s and it continues to provide support each year through it’s donations to Rotary Foundation and by special fund raising activitiessuch as the Car Rally described in the Past Events section. |
Did you know?In 1921 President Roosevelt of America was crippled by polio at the age of 39. This led to his initiating massive research into the disease that led to the development of the polio vaccine that is helping to rid the world of polio today.