Jordans & District Rotary Club is making a positive contribution to help free the world of Polio.
Two of our members, Jenny Owen and Manjit Shihn travelled to India in 2015 with the intention of supporting the National Immunisation Day and helping to immunise thousands of children. They joined a group of 106 volunteers from accross Great Britain and Ireland - the largest to have ever travelled - and met up with other volunteers from all over the world, including Japan, USA, Belgium and Luxemburg. Jenny travelled as a volunteer to India for the third time.
Our target to eradicate Polio is getting ever closer. As at the 14th June 2017 there have only been 6 reported cases this year. This compares to 14 cases at the same time last year There have been no cases reported in Nigeria this year whereas in August last year there were 4 cases. There has been a massive Spring immunisation programme this year 2017 in Parkistan and Afghanistan.
The immunisation is administered by two simple drops on the tongue, can be carried out by someone with no medical experience, and is critical to keeping polio at bay.
Jenny Owen continues: "It's important that we don't lose momentum if we are going to beat this disease and the large group of Rotarians travelling out this year illustrates that we are still as passionate as ever. If you want to make a difference, you could join us in our club or simply donate".
Update:- October 2016- Just as Rotary was about to mark the anniversary of no reported cases of Polio in the whole of Africa the disturbing news arraived that two new cases were rep[orted in Nigera. Bearing in mind that when this Rotary campaign started thirty years ago there were a thousand new cases a day in 125 countries and this has now been reduced by 99.9%. No mean achievement but we will soldier on. For example at the Permanent Transit Post in Karachi they are adminstering vaccinations to an average 3,000 children a day. This remains a high risk area.
Each year we plant crocus bulbs to celebrate the progress that has been made with Rotary's help towards the worldwide eradication of Polio. Some of the pictures locally taken by members of these appear below.
more Jordans & District Rotary Club have initiated a programme in Nepal
more Rotary Clubs Worldwide have for many years worked to eradicate Polio from the world
more Seven Members and their Ladies went on an interesting visit to York City
more A Presentation to the school from our Club
more Rotarian David Brodie has been on many visits to Nepal to assess the problems and endeavour to provide solutions.