Eradication remains on the horizon despite setback posed by COVID-19

Oct 24, 2021 News

World Polio Day 2021…

Kaieteur News – For more than 35 years, Rotary has been working with its partners and communities in countries across the globe to eradicate polio. Also known as poliomyelitis, polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person’s spinal cord, causing paralysis (inability to move parts of the body).
Although the goal of ridding the world of polio is closer than ever, with a sparse prevalence of the disease in just a few countries today, the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, in some ways, has threatened the efforts to fight the polio disease.
COVID-19 has affected the delivery of the polio vaccination to many of our world’s children in affected areas. As of 2020, wild poliovirus type 1 continues to affect only two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite the challenges, Rotary and its partners can in no way relax their efforts at this time. As we join in celebrating World Polio Day today, October 24, vaccination of affected individuals and communities must continue to prevent a resurgence of the disease.
Meanwhile, it is important to underscore the efforts of Rotary; Rotarians have over the years raised and donated millions of dollars towards polio eradication. Collectively, they have dedicated billions of hours towards fighting the disease and more. Since the establishment of the Polio Plus Programme in 1985, Rotary has been doing more for communities. The Plus component of the eradication efforts, since then, has created access to clean water, additional medical treatment, bed nets and other items.
Rotary continues to realise these opportunities in communities across the globe including those here in Guyana where local clubs, like the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, are making an impact.
Today, as the world takes the fight to COVID-19, countries can draw from the knowledge and infrastructure built up over the years in the fight to eradicate polio. Certainly, this can play an invaluable role in addressing the pandemic and helping to provide good healthcare for all of the world’s people.
The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central joins other Rotary Clubs locally and across the globe to commemorate World Polio Day on October 24. May the selfless service of Rotary and its partners continue with the fight to totally eradicate Polio from our world.