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PolioPlus - extract from insert in Governor's newsletter February 2003 by PDG Ron Pickford Polio Eradication Committee Chairman

For the past five thousand years, the tiny poliovirus has killed and crippled millions of children.  Today, we are on the threshold  of eradicating poliomyelitis, a dreaded disease that historically has been the world's greatest cause of disability.  "Eradication" means that transmission of the poliovirus is totally stopped.

Rotary is the leading private sector partner in this global cause, which is now the largest public initiative in history.

As of February 2002, however, the poliovirus still circulates in ten countries, and dozens of countries remain at high risk of polio importation.  90% of the laboratory-confirmed cases reported in the year 2001 occurred in Pakistan, India and Nigeria.

Since 1985, donations from governments and the private sector have totalled about $1.8 billion.  Despite this generous outpouring, however, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF estimate that $1 billion is needed in the four year period 2002-2005 leading to the achievement of a polio free world.

Polio eradication is Rotary's number one program priority, established by resolution of Rotary's global decision making authority, the Council on Legislation.  Our goal: $80 million!  In achieving this goal, each of Rotary's 30,000 clubs and 530 districts will set its own goal.