Rotary's Ongoing Battle Against Polio: A Journey of Hope and Commitment

As Rotary International continues its mission to eradicate polio worldwide, the tireless efforts of dedicated individuals like Carol Choa, a past district governor and a passionate advocate for Rotary's cause, are proving instrumental. Polio, a devastating disease mainly affecting children under five, is characterized by its ability to cause paralysis and, in severe cases, lead to fatalities. The World Health Organization reports that while much progress has been made, the threat of polio persists in regions such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, still classified as endemic.

Carol Choa explains, "Unfortunately, polio is still endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Because of the good work of Rotary, we have been able to eradicate polio almost throughout the world, but there are still several regions that are highly prevalent in poverty-stricken countries." This illustrates the critical need for continued global vigilance and vaccination efforts.

Rotary's incredible partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, stands as a shining example of what collaboration can achieve. Since 1988, Rotary's global polio eradication initiative has garnered support not only from the Gates Foundation but also from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The success of this initiative is largely due to innovative solutions such as the oral polio vaccine, which is easy to administer, especially in remote areas.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matches Rotary's fundraising efforts two to one, highlighting the organization's commitment to this cause. As Carol Choa notes, "It costs only about 14 cents for a vaccine, but the cost of personnel training, getting the vaccine to the people, costs at least a dollar."

October 24th, designated as World Polio Day by the Rotary Foundation, serves as a global call to action. On this day, Rotary clubs worldwide organize activities to raise awareness about polio prevention and continue their advocacy efforts. In the Hudson Valley, for instance, regional clubs are set to host events promoting community engagement and highlighting the importance of vaccination.

For those interested in contributing to this noble cause or learning more about Rotary's initiatives, you can visit rotary.org/action and endpolio.org. These platforms provide comprehensive information on how to get involved in the fight against polio and other community initiatives.

Through persistent advocacy and global collaboration, Rotary International remains hopeful that a polio-free world is within reach. As Carol Choa passionately declares, “We are still making every effort to make sure that we can reach out and continue our efforts to save the children of the world.”

Listen to the full interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sHrzCedi3lFXiYUNpd0lo?si=qen3y8afQtiukyOGzB6g0Q