Rotary help free Africa from Polio - CHOGM Malta Resolution >
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On the 11th August, Nigeria and Africa will be celebrating a full year without any new cases of polio. Just over a quarter of a century ago, the virus was endemic in 128 countries, crippling 350,000 children a year. We in Malta have also been scared and have had cases of this terrible disease. “This is a disease that cannot be controlled, it has to be eradicated, said WHO spokesman Oliver Rosenbauer.
There are now only two countries left, Afghanistan and Commonwealth country, Pakistan, which still get a few cases of polio.
The Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and all the Maltese MEP’s from both parties have pledged their support to this campaign. It is hoped that the CHOGM conference, being held in Malta later this year, will highlight the Commonwealth’s commitment to finish the job and work to get the last two countries, and the world, polio free. Once polio is wiped out, it will be only the second disease, after smallpox, to have been vaccinated out of existence.
The fight in Nigeria has not been easy. For more than a generation, Rotary has led the drive to eradicate polio, administering vaccinations to 2.5 billion children in 122 countries at a cost of $1.4 billion.
Rotary Clubs in Malta have been playing their part over the years, in collecting and donating funds to Rotary International, for this noble cause.
Rotary Clubs in Malta have been playing their part over the years, in collecting and donating funds to Rotary International, for this noble cause.
For full storey go to : www.rotary.org.mt