Local Rotary clubs help to eliminate polio in Africa

Thursday 27 August 2020

The two Rotary clubs in Guernsey, with support from the local community, have played a role in a significant global public health achievement after the World Health Organisation’s Africa region was officially certified as wild polio-free.

Polio is a debilitating disease mainly affecting children, which can cause paralysis and even death.

The milestone is the result of decades of effort from clubs and volunteers around the world, who have fundraised, campaigned and worked tirelessly since Rotary pledged to rid the world of polio more than 30 years ago.

Rotary in Guernsey have played their part over a number of years with a variety of fun activities including an annual purple pinkie day, a matching grant of £40,000 from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission and the planting of over half a million purple crocus corms across the Bailiwick. 

And now for some good news… Africa to be declared free of polio https://t.co/VO2IE0vCzd

— Jonathan Le Tocq ???????? (@letocq) August 25, 2020

The certification comes four years after Nigeria, the last polio-endemic country in Africa, recorded its final case of wild polio and means, of the WHO’s six regions, five of those – accounting for 90% of the world’s population – are free from polio.

"This is a terrific landmark in the world’s battle to eradicate polio," said Dave Parish, from Rotary Club of Guernsey. "Although it has been many years since polio has been present in the UK and Ireland and of course in Guernsey, we are proud to have contributed to the global efforts to eliminate the disease for good."

Pictured: The Purple4Polio campaign has been a feature of recent years, with crocus corms planted in prominent places including the top of Le Val des Terres and Government House.

"If we don’t finish the job, it is estimated that, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 children annually all over the world could succumb to polio, including in the UK. The virus can literally be a plane ride away so vaccination is important.”

David Mullins, from Rotary Guernesiais, said the job to fully rid the world of polio goes on, as the wild virus continues to circulate in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.   

"We remain committed to making the final, challenging steps towards making a polio free world a reality," he said. "We really appreciate the help our whole Guernsey community have already given to Rotary’s polio campaign and look forward to your ongoing support.”

Pictured top: Rotary Club members, volunteers and sponsors and a crocus corms planting last year raising awareness of polio. Purple is the colour associated with the polio vaccination.