Page 8 - 2023年10月號

TRUSTEE CHAIR’S MESSAGE

Our goal is in sight

On 24 October, we renew our commitment tensions, security risks and access issues, and the
to our top humanitarian goal for World Polio Day. lasting effect of the pandemic in Afghanistan and
This year, let’s remember a young health Pakistan.
worker in Pakistan known as Bibi Marjana (Miss Despite these challenges, we are making
Marjana). She braves the snow and cold in the progress. Poliovirus strains are diminishing, as is
mountains to vaccinate 84 children in rural areas, the number of affected regions where polio once
visiting each home, often miles apart. prevailed. A new vaccine we have introduced
Marjana is one of the thousands of frontline reduces the incidence of the circulating vaccine-
workers in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and outbreak derived virus type 2.
areas I consider heroes in the final push to end Rotary is the organization that had the
polio. The work they do, coupled with the vision audacity to take on a global effort to protect
of our partners and the support you give, is moving children everywhere from disability or even death
mountains. due to polio. We must have the tenacity to see it to
With Rotary’s partnership, the Global Polio the finish line.
Eradication Initiative is aggressively pursuing two What can you do to help us get there, you ask?
key goals from its 2022-26 strategy. First, we aim Join or initiate a PolioPlus Society in your club
to halt wild poliovirus type 1 transmission. This or district and engage all members in this historic
year, only six cases have been documented as of moment. And don’t forget that the Bill & Melinda
this writing. Could this be the year we see the Gates Foundation continues to amplify Rotary’s
last of these poliovirus cases? We’re cautiously donations to polio eradication with a 2-to-1 match
optimistic that it might. for every dollar.
Second, we aim to report the final case of You can also advocate the cause of polio
circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, or eradication with governments to secure political
cVDPV2, in outbreak countries. About 80 percent and financial support and promote Rotary’s
of cVDPV2 cases last year occurred in subnational leadership role in all media.
areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Like Marjana marching up the mountain, we
Nigeria, and Yemen. We must implement tailored have our goal in sight, and we will keep going until
strategies to stop the virus in these areas. we get there.
Other challenges persist , including political BARRY RASSIN
Foundation trustee chair
Illustration by Viktor Miller Gausa
6 ᇃᢊ׭ᎈȁ2023.10