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Home | Information & Polio Plus | MEDIA INTEREST IN INTERNATIONAL ROTARY VOLUNTEERS

D1040 Polio Officer Chris Philip with Alfonso

Last Sunday, in the historic city of Lucknow 2,72,295 under fives received the vital two drops of oral polio vaccine (OPV).

This is nearly 9.5% more than what happened in January when 2,48,637 children were covered.

District 1040 Polio Officer Chris Philip, with husband IPDG John Philip, who led a team of 34 UK Rotary Volunteers  to Lucknow said: 'Nearly 23,000 more children reached Polio booths this time. We cannot take credit for this but our presence in Lucknow generated an unprecedented media interest. So, far I have collected 17 press cuttings, I am sure that there were more.'

Welcoming the UK Rotarians, Mr Shukla the highest ranking Government Officer in Lucknow said: 'I welcome you on behalf of the Government and thank you for your support in this battle against Polio. We had 1,831 teams doing door to door activity some in very sensitive areas'

'Rotary colleagues here, health workers and the Government fully appreciate the cost and time you all have invested in coming here and supporting us. Your presence here has generated considerable media interest which raised the profile of the campaign.'

Chris Philip said: 'One article appeared in a newspaper with a high Muslim readership. UptakeBarry Doyle, Rotarians make a difference amongst the Muslim community has gone up thanks to Rotary's relentless efforts.'

The UK volunteers had a visible presence in the streets and vaccination booths. They were warmly welcomed by the community – some very deprived.

Chris congratulated the team in the exemplary way they conducted themselves and added: 'By our coming here, if one child has received the drops then all the efforts and cost would have been worth it.'

The team consisted of 23 Rotarians, 2 Inner Wheel members and 9 non-Rotarians. They are from Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Essex, Merseyside, London, Surrey, Scotland, Wales, Sweden, Menorca,