Rotary is an international community that brings together leaders who step up to take on the worlds toughest challenges, locally and globally. Conquering polio a brief history of polioplus, rotarys role in a global program to. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. I am also on the board and the foundation treasurer. Caso studio sulleradicazione della poliomielite in costa davorio. In an interview with bill gates and rotary international president barry rassin, i explore what makes the polio eradication partnership so effective. The term polio plus was coined in 1988 when the world health organization joined rotary international in the fight against polio. Based on the book by sarah gibbard cook, rotary and the gift of a. The eradication of polio is one of our longest standing and most significant efforts.
In response to deadly public health crisis, community demanded victory over polio the polio epidemic made 1943 to 1954 a frightening decade. But its crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio free. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for over 30 years, and our goal of ridding the earth of this disease is in sight. The gates foundation joined with rotary about ten years ago. In 1985, rotary launched its polioplus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children.
Together, we can make sure the children of the future only learn about polio in history books. Rotary and its partners in the global polio eradication initiative gpei. Why bill gates partners with rotary to eradicate polio forbes. Foundation with rotary seems unlikely, almost akin to the wellknown viral story. See more ideas about rotary, rotary club and community service volunteers. It turns out that one of the true giants in our story was a past governor in my. From the rotary club book, a century of service, the story of rotary international by david c. Sarah gibbard cook writes polio history rotary international. But after receiving a handoperated tricycle funded through rotary s polioplus grants, ali pictured above can now spend that money on other necessities. Rotary history the roots of rotary s polio eradication efforts. Conquering polio a brief history of polioplus, rotarys. Rotary, volunteers, polio eradication, lessons learned. As scientists work to find a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, we can do our part to. Polio eradication, the largest and most ambitious global public health programme in history, is nearing completion.
Dec 10, 2016 i love being a member of this organization. We started in 1979 with vaccinations for 6 million children in the philippines. Three centuries of medicine and mayhem at americas most storied hospital, which i found to be exceedingly well written, i decided to try this book. World polio day cheers major achievements toward global polio. The event in metropolitan manila was arranged and attended by rotarians and delegates from the philippine ministry of health. An american story turned out to be just as well written. How rotary became the heart, soul of polio eradication. I used to use polio eradication as an example of poor goal setting in my. Bartlett offers a comprehensive, readable account of the polioeradication campaigns history and rotarys unlikely role as its chief advocate. Conquering polio a brief history of polioplus, rotarys role in a. Rotary polio eradication efforts rotary international. That book cannot be written until the final declaration has been accepted by. Rotary and its partners in the global polio eradication initiative gpei are. How rotary became the heart, soul of polio eradication rotary voices.
Finally, we note that this book should not be seen as a history of polio eradication. How bill gates used mapping tech to curb polio here 360. Conquering polio a brief history of polioplus, rotarys role in a global program to eradicate the worlds greatest crippling disease. Explore the history of rotary and polio eradication. Beginning on rotary s anniversary, 23 february, rotary members worldwide will be holding events to celebrate three decades of polio eradication progress.
Along with our partners, we have helped immunize more than 2. Today, polio remains endemic only in afghanistan, nigeria, and pakistan. On 29 september 1979, volunteers administered drops of oral polio vaccine to children at a health center in guadalupe viejo, makati, philippines. I am not old enough to remember the braces on childrens legs or the iron lung so after reading david m. This year marks 30 years since rotary launched polioplus, its campaign to rid the world of polio. Today, afghanistan, nigeria, and pakistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic. There were around four to five countries with active polio. When we talk about polioplus, we know we are eradicating polio, but do we realize how many added benefits the program brings. Chartered on february 11, 1921, the annapolis rotary club is the largest and most active service club in marylands state capital and one of the most active in rotary international district 7620. The polio plus program actually started in the very late 1979 when rotarians in the philippines.