Rotary’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio

DAR ES SALAAM: Rotary members worldwide have been at the forefront of the global effort to eradicate polio, a crippling disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children each year.

Since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary has contributed over US$2.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to the cause.

The organization’s partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has been instrumental in reducing polio cases by 99.9% worldwide.

Speaking at the Rotary Polio Walk event in Dar es Salaam on World Polio Day, Rotary Past District Governor Sharmila Bhatt emphasized the importance of continued efforts to eradicate polio, noting that the disease remains a threat to children in parts of the world.

Rotary members in Tanzania are actively working to raise awareness, funds, and support for polio eradication. Their commitment to the cause is driven by the belief that a polio-free world is achievable.

To sustain progress and ensure that every child receives the polio vaccine, Rotary has pledged to raise US$50 million annually. The Gates Foundation has generously matched this commitment with a 2-to-1 pledge, contributing a total of US$150 million each year.

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Thanks to the collective efforts of Rotary, its partners, and countless volunteers, wild polio now only circulates in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the fight is not over until polio is eradicated globally.

Rotary’s global network of community leaders is dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. With 1.4 million members in over 46,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, their service improves lives both locally and internationally.

In Tanzania, there are 41 active Rotary Clubs, 16 of which are based in Dar es Salaam.