24 March 2005
What is the current outlook for polio eradication?
It still looks
good — despite some unexpected setbacks in Africa. India saw only about 100
cases in 2004, compared to nearly 2,000 in 2002. We are now conducting
coordinated NIDs [National Immunization Days] in West and Central Africa, and
political opposition has been substantially halted.
Q: How would you describe the impact of the polio eradication fundraising
campaign (PEFC)?
The decision of the RI Directors and Rotary Foundation
Trustees to embark on another fundraising campaign in 2002-2003, and the
response of Rotarians throughout the world, had an extraordinary effect on the
Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Not only did the campaign raise well over
US$100 million, but it also stunned and stimulated our partners — WHO [World
Health Organization], UNICEF, CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention], and others. That Rotary would embark on a new campaign on its own
volition produced an unprecedented response of acclaim from the partners.
The fundraising campaign also encouraged and inspired volunteers everywhere. Tired but committed Rotarians in polio-endemic countries renewed their efforts, giving their time and talents. We are now seeing more Rotarians in polio-free countries traveling at their own expense to polio-endemic countries to stand by fellow Rotarians for long hours to immunize children.
Q: What is needed most from Rotarians right now?
Personal and
corporate re-commitment to the eradication of polio and demonstration of that
commitment by:
Q: Why are contributions still needed?
While the 2002-2003
fundraising campaign exceeded our goal of $80 million, unfortunately, the Global
Polio Eradication Initiative is still underfunded and facing $100 million in
additional costs for immunizing children in reinfected African countries.
The primary source of additional funds will be the governments of polio-free industrialized countries. But Rotary needs to continue its advocacy efforts and help with social mobilization efforts by Rotarians in polio-infected countries. Additionally, Rotary has recognized that our goal must be certification of eradication, a three-year process that requires intensive surveillance as well as efforts to ensure that remaining virus samples in laboratories and elsewhere are secured.
Rotary is not considering another fundraising campaign because we believe the majority of needed funds should and can come from the governments of the world.
But we do sorely need Rotarians to fulfill their 2002-03 pledges and commitments, and we need contributions to PolioPlus Partners and to the PolioPlus Fund.
Q: Are Rotarians fulfilling their commitments and pledges? Why is it
important to do so?
Yes, but some have been slower to do so than we had
hoped. The pledges and commitments had a 30 June 2005 completion date, so they
are not yet delinquent. Clubs and individuals need to give the highest priority
to fulfilling their promises. We need the funds to assure that polio is
eradicated. The importation and reinfections of African countries have required
that we conduct unexpected NIDs. [WHO estimates an additonal US$100 million will
be required for Africa.]
Q: What is the current strategy for eradicating polio?
The
partnership — WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and Rotary International — has presented a
consistent strategy — routine immunization, massive NIDs in the most vulnerable
countries, intense concentration in difficult areas where the disease persists —
all supported by an effective surveillance program. The strategy has again and
again been demonstrated as effective. It fails only when one or more of these
elements has not been adequately carried out.
Q: How can Rotarians contribute to the surveillance
effort?
Rotarians in endemic and recently endemic countries are doing
yeoman service in educating health officials and citizens and helping transport
samples. Rotarians in polio-free countries can help provide the means for their
fellow Rotarians to participate in surveillance through PolioPlus Partners.
Fulfilling the PEFC commitments will help the Trustees support WHO laboratories,
which isolate the poliovirus from collected samples.
Q: What are the final challenges faced by the campaign?
The World
Health Organization has identified several challenges. Most notable is
sustaining political commitment. Sometimes a drop-off in commitment is described
as "apathy," but other causes range from volunteer fatigue to competition with
funds for other public health needs.
Commitment also is essential from
private and volunteer organizations, of which Rotary is the most critical. Other
challenges include external financing, a reliable continued support of
high-grade polio vaccine, and war and conflict.
Q: How would you describe the challenges facing the remaining
polio-endemic countries?
In India, with the second-largest and densest
population worldwide, a considerable amount of external financial help is
required. In Afghanistan, civil war has been devastating, and vaccinators do not
feel safe. In Pakistan, national unrest and close borders to Afghanistan pose a
special danger. For Nigeria, the interruption of immunization by the northern
states may have caused polio to spread, not only to other countries, but also to
previously polio-free states of Nigeria that now must be re-immunized. Progress
in neighboring Niger depends on that in Nigeria.
While very few cases in Egypt are being reported, the virus is still present and more effective immunizations are needed.
Q: What are the long-term benefits of the polio campaign to the
health-care infrastructure?
With a second dreaded disease gone, hundreds
of millions of dollars can be devoted to other public health needs in the
developing world. A network of laboratories, which can be used for identifying
and pinpointing locations and presence of a multitude of diseases, will be
inherited all over the world (an inheritance which may turn out to be the real
"Plus" in PolioPlus). Additionally, the world will benefit from the valuable
lessons learned from the greatest public health event in history.
Q: What can Rotarians look forward to celebrating at the 2005 RI
Convention?
We will celebrate:
And knowing Rotary, maybe something more by the time the convention opens in June!
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