Benalla member Sally Matheson said when Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988 there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year.
“We’ve made great progress against the disease since then,” Ms Matheson said.
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“Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 per cent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus - Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we remain committed to the end.”
Ms Matheson said with polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners were driven to sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine.
“Without full funding and political commitment, this paralysing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk,” she said.
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Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts.
“The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that two-to-one, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.
Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion to ending polio since 1985, including funds donated by the Rotary Club of Benalla.
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