World Immunisation Week, 24-30 April, highlighted what can be achieved by reaching every child with lifesaving vaccines - including against polio.
Polio eradication efforts closer than ever to likely triumph – making it more important than ever to finish the job, says Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director General.
Vaccines have been one of the biggest success stories of modern medicine. Thanks to the power of polio vaccines, over 16 million people are walking today who would otherwise have been paralysed by the virus.
Many of these successes were born from the enthusiasm at the end of smallpox in 1970, the only human disease ever to have been eradicated to date. This was living proof of the power of vaccines to permanently improve the world. This week, Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organisation, stated that the polio eradication programme is closer than ever to changing the world in the same way as smallpox, boosting world confidence in the power of vaccines to build a better world. But being on the brink of triumph is not enough; much more needs to be done to certify the world polio-free and ensure all future generations are free from the threat of polio thanks to the power of vaccines.
Ten years of progress and challenges
In Dr Margaret Chan’s report on the evolution of public health over the decade she has served as the WHO Director General, she reflects on the highlights and challenges of the past 10 years of polio eradication efforts. In 2007, there were four polio endemic countries, including India, which was causing some to question whether eradication was even achievable. Polio outbreaks were paralysing children in nine countries, and there was a surge in cases.
Forward ten years, and India has been polio-free for six years, proving that nothing is impossible. Endemic countries are down to three – Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan – and 2016 saw the lowest ever number of children paralysed by polio in history. One of the three strains of wild poliovirus, type 2, has been declared eradicated, and type 3 hasn’t been seen anywhere in the world since 2012. Eradication is closer than ever.
The power of vaccines to change the world is evident in these signs of progress. But Dr Chan is clear that with the goal of a polio-free world so close, it is more important now than ever that momentum is not lost. “Being on the brink of triumph is not enough. The job will be done only when the entire world has been certified polio-free. The magnitude of that victory will no doubt boost world confidence in the power of public health – and vaccines – to build a better world.”
On behalf of members of the MUNA Committee, staff of all the participating schools, and the wonderful students who took part in 2017 MUNA I would like to thank you for your support for this Youth Program of District 9810. I attach a brief report about the event that took place last weekend, 6th and 7th May. For those who visited Parliament House on the weekend and for anyone wishing to see photos from the event please click on the following link - rotarybmc.org.au/muna. These photos were taken by Ian Ballantine, the official photographer for MUNA, and a member of Rotary Club of Bentleigh Moorabbin Central.
The committee for 2018 MUNA will be chaired by Andrew Guillaume. I trust that this continues to be a successful program and Andrew will continue to receive your support.
So far this year,11 Clubs have contributed $18,126, 11 individuals -$4100 and a business group $2000, totalling $24,226. The District funds raised this year will go towards a program or programs to be delivered in 2017/18 and or 2018/19 depending on the amounts raised this year (and next year). In addition, RC of Wandin has raised funds for a program or programs in the Philippines later this year.
Details of the financial support over the last two years are as follows- taken from a report I wrote in July 2016.
‘Club and Individual Donations
In the two years, 2014/15, and 2015/16 the District Club and individual donations were as follows:
2014/15$38,655. Twenty four Clubs contributed- $34,125 plus individual donations of $4530 and sale of dolls $175). (One Rotarian generously donated $3000).
2015/16$64,666 and 80cents. Twenty FourClubs contributed $ 51,205 plus individual donations of $13,455. (The Rotarian referred to above donated $10,000).
Total $103,315 over two years Plus RC of Wandin (see below) $38,244. All up sic $142,549. ($141,559)
As a result our District has contributed $40,000 towards the cost of a two week surgical/training programs in Laos costing $70,000 and has just committed to
(a) half funding a surgical training program in Samoa later this year- 2016 (about $18,000),; and
(b) fully funding a surgical training program in Lambasa Fiji in the early part of 2017 ($45,000).
In addition to the above, the Rotary Club of Wandin, in its project to fully fund a surgical team, raised in 2015/16- $7,575 and in 2016/17- $30,170 totalling $37,645. Included in this total are donations from the Club totalling not less than $23,474, $500 from the Rotary Club of Monbulk and District and the balance,- individual donations. It is on track to achieve it’s target of $45,000 plus the cost of an observer’.
On the 15th June we are having a ladies day at Bunnings Nunawading with Fast Ed from Better Homes and Gardens. He is doing a cooking show from 11am to 2pm. If you have any ladies or gentlemen at the club or friends that might be interested in coming along on the day, let me know asap, this is a free event. RSVPs required for catering purposes to
A fellow’s wife went missing and being that everyone knew that he and his wife were in a big fight he was accused of murdering her and disposing of the body. When witness after witness came to the stand testifying to all sorts of horrible threats that the accused threatened his wife and things were looking quite dim for the accused the man’s lawyer got up to the stand.
“Ladies and Gentleman of the jury I have something quite exciting to tell you, if you would all please direct your attention towards the door behind me on my left you will see the supposedly dead women walk in on her own two feet.”
There was a loud murmuring in the courtroom as all eyes turned towards the door. “Ladies and Gentleman” said the lawyer after a few seconds of anxious waiting, “To be honest with you, Nobody is going to be walking through the door, however from the fact that your eyes all turned towards the door it is quite obvious that you are not sure beyond the shadow of a doubt about my client’s guilt.”
To the lawyer’s great surprise, the jury decided that the man was guilty.
“But how could you say that he is guilty? Didn’t I prove it to you?” Questioned the lawyer.
“It is true that we all turned towards the door,” one old lady explained, “but there was person who didn’t.”
.jpg)
Polio eradication efforts closer than ever to likely triumph – making it more important than ever to finish the job, says Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director General.
Forward ten years, and India has been polio-free for six years, proving that nothing is impossible. Endemic countries are down to three – Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan – and 2016 saw the lowest ever number of children paralysed by polio in history. One of the three strains of wild poliovirus, type 2, has been declared eradicated, and type 3 hasn’t been seen anywhere in the world since 2012. Eradication is closer than ever..jpg)
“Whose that?” Questioned the indignant lawyer.
