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A POLIO-FREE WORLD: A PROMISE TO KEEP

PDG Iftekharul Alam
1. Poliomyelitis (polio) is a crippling and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children. The poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Il can strike at any age but mainly affects children up to five years of age. In 1985, Rotary International created Polio Plus a program to immunize all the world’s children against polio. Since its launch in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, spearheaded by World Health Organization (WHO). Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF, has reduced the incidence of polio by more then 99 percent. More than 350.000 children have been saved from paralysis in 125 countries.
2. Besides raising funds, over one million men and women of Rotary have donated their time, talent and personal resources to help about 2 billion children during mass immunization campaigns throughout the world. Rotarians recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transportation of the vaccines, administer the vaccine to children and provide other logistical support. During National Immunization Days, Rotarians provide valuable field support and social mobilization.
3. Bangladesh has implemented 16 National Immunization Days - the last two rounds being held on 27 October and 8 December. 2007. In the first round, the immunization coverage registered 98.3% and in the second round, the coverage achieved 99%. This is indeed remarkable success. More so, when wc take into account that all over Bangladesh. 140,000 immunization centres were manned by about 700,000 volunteers. which included Rotarians, Rotaractors, Rotary Anns. Scouts. Guides. Health workers and volunteers from all segments of society. 4. A remarkable feature of the 2nd Round of the 16th NID in Bangladesh was participation of Rotarian volunteers from USA. Canada. Norway and Denmark. These Rotarians from abroad joined local volunteers and health workers to administer drops of oral polio vaccine to children under age five. They also participated in house-to-house search to identify uncovered children. These visiting volunteers' enthusiasm and dedication inspired all Rotarians of Bangladesh. PDG Dave L. Groner and PP Ann Lee Hussey provided leadership to the team.
5. Intense efforts are continuing to make the world polio-free. The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of muslims. The multinational
crowded nature of the Hajj makes it just right for the spread of poliovirus. This year, pilgrims of all ages from polio-endemic countries - Afghanistan. India, Nigeria and Pakistan were required by Saudi Arabian authorities to receive a dose of OPV before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims from Sudan were also required to receive a dose of vaccine although one case was detected this year. The country, however, is close to infected areas and hosts a large number of pilgrims in transit to and from the Hajj.
6. The world has moved several critical milestones closer toward eradication of polio. In 2006, Rotary contributed US $ 22.6 million and countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than 350 million children in 33 countries against polio. In 2007, Rotary has done more. More efficient and targeted oral polio vaccines have now been introduced. 7. The four key objectives and milestones outlined in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Strategic Plan 2004-2008 include the following: i Interrupting poliovirus transmission (2004-2005)
ii Achieving certification of global polio erad ication (2006-2008)
iii Developing products for the Global Polio Vaccine (OPV) Cessation phase (2006-2008)
iv Mainstreaming the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (2009and beyond)
8. Now only four countries in the world remain polio-endemic: Afghanistan. India, Nigeria and Pakistan. A global updated picture would stand as follows
Talal cases Year to 18 Dec 07 Total in 2007
In Endemic countries 765 1869
In Non-Endemic countries 92 128
Afghanistan 13 31
India 471 676
Nigeria 257 1122
Pakistan 24 40
9. Despite being a developing country, Bangladesh provides a inspiring success story in its fight against polio.
• Bangladesh implemented the first National Immunization Day in 1995. Rotary assisted Bangladesh with USS 5 million for launching the first NID. Since then, 16 NIDs have been implemented. The last round of NID on 8 December. 2007 recorded 99% immunization coverage of children up to the age of five years.
• The last case of polio in Bangladesh was reported on 22 August. 2000. Thereafter Bangladesh,maintained polio-free status for more than five and a half years. In 2006, however, 19 cases of polio were detected - all cases of importation of virus from India. In 2007. there has been no case of polio in Bangladesh.
• Rotarians organized numerous immunization centres during the NIDs and initiated effective and innovative social Mobilization programs for the National Immunization days.
• Rotary International has donated US$ 17.5 million to Bangladesh for Oral Polio Vaccine, cold chain, surveillance. laboratory equipments, medical officers and social mobilization materials.
10. Funds play a vital role in fulfillriient of our dream of a polio free-world. The new partnership between Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation makes a historic event. The partnership will provide much-needed US $ 200 million to support our goal of a polio free world. The Gates Foundation has awarded The Rotary Foundation a challenge grant of US$ 100 million, which Rotary will match, dollar for dollar, over three years.
We are now closer to fulfillment of our promise for a polio-free world.
- Author is a Past District Governor (1975-76) and Chairman , Bangladesh National PolioPlus Committee