Rotary’s goal to eradicate polio

by Pastor Dave Howell

One of the greatest projects coming from Rotary is their PolioPlus program.

“Rotary’s involvement in polio eradication began in 1979 with a five-year commitment to provide and help deliver polio vaccine to six million children of the Philippines. It was the first project of the new Health, Hunger, and Humanity (3-H) program. In the next four years, similar five-year commitments were approved for Haiti, Bolivia, Morocco, Sierra Leone, and Cambodia.

“In the early 1980s, Rotary began planning for the most ambitious program in its history to immunize all of the world’s children against polio. The plan required collaboration with international, national, and local health agencies. With the advice and support of the late Dr. Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine, Rotary established its PolioPlus program in 1985.

“Rotary’s pledge of $120 million to fund its PolioPlus program was announced in October 1985 at the 40th anniversary of the United Nations. This ambitious commitment electrified the global public health community. Within three years, Rotarians had more than doubled their fundraising goal, donating $247 million. By the time the world is certified polio-free, Rotary’s contributions to the global polio eradication effort will exceed $600 million.

“Rotary’s role in polio eradication continues to evolve. Initially its role was that of a catalyst, providing money for vaccine and volunteer support to overcome problems associated with distribution. A Rotary Foundation grant funded a core group of polio experts at the World Health Organization (WHO), who have guided the global program. In more recent years, PolioPlus funds have funded transportation and other operational costs associated with vaccine delivery, surveillance efforts (including laboratory needs) to identify areas where the virus circulates, and training for health care workers and volunteers involved in the immunization process.

“In 1995, Rotary launched a task force to advocate polio eradication to donor governments, resulting in more than $1.5 billion in polio-specific grants from public sector advocacy. In 2000, Rotary teamed up with the United Nations Foundation to carry a financial appeal to the private sector foundations, corporations, and wealthy individuals. The private sector has contributed more than $100 million to eradication efforts.

“As the war on polio enters its final phases, adequate funding is the No. 1 obstacle to achieving a polio-free world by the year 2005, Rotary’s centennial. In February 2002, Rotary rose to the challenge once again, announcing a Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign to raise $80 million to contribute to the funding gap, at that time estimated at $275 million by the World Health Organization.

“The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is recognized worldwide as a model of public and private cooperation in pursuit of a humanitarian goal. Past WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland once praised Rotarians as the first group with the vision of a polio-free world and the resolve to see the job done.

“Long ago, you created awareness, and took action. If I could, I would give each of you who have been involved in this monumental campaign a Champion award. You who believe in, and continue to strive to save the world’s children from the ravages of polio, are most definitely champions.” — Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director General, World Health Organization, to Rotarians at the RI 2001 Convention, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

“In 1988 the World Health Assembly agreed that it would commit to eradicating polio in time for the world to be certified polio-free by 2005. Since then, Rotary International, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been leading this massive undertaking.” — Mia Farrow, UNICEF Special Representative.

“Thank you, Rotarians, for recognizing that a world without polio is possible. You have been the catalyst for the world to accept and carry out the challenge of eradicating polio from the earth.” — Bill Gates, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

“I’d like to thank Rotary International, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the U.N. Foundation and, most of all, the volunteers for helping in the cause to eradicate polio.” — Bill Clinton, Former President of the United States

“Throughout its incredible 15 years of effort, Rotary has shown tremendous leadership and made significant progress toward the goal of global polio eradication. All of us at UNF look forward to working with Rotary’s dedicated worldwide network of volunteers to mobilize the resources and international support needed to certify a polio-free world in 2005 — which fittingly coincides with Rotary’s Centennial anniversary.” — Timothy E. Wirth, President of the United Nations Foundation

“Rotary’s PolioPlus Program is a shining example of the achievements made possible by cooperation between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.” — Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations

Look again for Pastor Dave’s column in Saturday’s Herald. He welcomes suggestions and comments and can be contacted by calling 419-695-2611 or e-mailing dhowell1@woh.rr.com.