As many of us would have seen recently in social media, in this issue of the Glenferrie Rotarian and in the mainstream press, the entire continent of Africa has recently been declared wild polio virus free. This is a great achievement thanks to those on-the-ground (Rotarians, community members and NGOs) and the vaccines developed in the middle of last century.
Many of our older members will have known friends and perhaps family members who were afflicted with this dreadful disease in the early half of last century. I certainly do – and also remember the fear in the community similar to the fear that we are experiencing now in this present pandemic. In the early part of the 20th century millions of Australians were infected with the virus, many of whom were horribly paralysed and often confined in complete isolation for many years in special ventilators known as “iron lungs”.What is Polio?
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a virus. It is transmitted through contaminated water or food, or contact with an infected person. Many people who are infected with the poliovirus don't become sick and have no symptoms. However, those who do become ill and develop a paralysis, which can sometimes be fatal. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. And how can it be prevented? By a vaccine; a vaccine developed in the early 1950s by American physician, Jonas Salk, and administered by injection. Later in the 1960s, an oral vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin.
How did Rotary Get Involved?
Sir Clem Renouf, the 1978-79 Rotary International President read about the eradication of smallpox and wondered if Rotary’s new Health, Hunger and Humanities (3-H) Grants could be used to eliminate another disease. Through other Rotarians with contacts in production of the vaccines, Clem set his sights on the eradication of polio as a worldwide Rotary project.
Clem Renouf encouraged Rotary clubs to contribute around $15.00 per member and ultimately $7 million was raised – a surprising amount. Part of these funds were used to conduct the first polio project in the Philippines – the race to End Polio was on.
In partnership with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and other NGOs, Rotary and Rotarians continue the drive to rid the world of this scourge – we are close to achieving this goal but not close enough.