(Submitted Photo/Pat Chernesky)

By Ben Tompkins

Nipawin Rotary Club

Nipawin celebrates World Polio Day

Oct 27, 2021 | 2:06 PM

World Polio Day is observed on October 24 every year to raise awareness for polio vaccination and eradication of polio. The 2021 theme for World Polio Day is “delivering on a promise.”

Through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), CDC works with partners to eradicate polio and end the suffering from this devastating disease. As of 2013, GPEI had reduced polio worldwide by 99 per cent. The last stronghold of poliovirus is in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In a statement sent to northeastNOW by the Nipawin Rotary Club, Pat Chernesky, Club President displayed her passion for the continuous efforts her club has in eradicating the polio virus.

“We have been at this for a very long time, some 30 plus years, trying hard to make a polio-free world a reality, and despite horrendous challenges, there is progress.

The good news is that there have been only two cases of WPV (wild polio virus) in the world in 2021, one in each of Pakistan and Afghanistan; this is down from 140 cases in 2020.

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The bad news, however, is that our work is far from done. The polio virus is still endemic in two countries, despite there being only one case in each of those as mentioned previously. COVID–19 has threatened and disrupted immunization programs around the world over the past few months; surveillance has suffered and restarting immunization campaigns will result in increased costs.

The cost to immunize a child is only $3. This includes not only vaccine costs but surveillance, security and employing locals to spread the word and do the work. Security is a big issue and some have lost their lives vaccinating in war-torn countries.

World Polio Day, Oct. 24, is used as a day to create awareness and learn about the progress. Clubs had events around the world and we in Nipawin proudly displayed a flag in Town Square for the passersby to see and stood by to provide information about the program when asked.

We felt that it was important for our community to be aware that polio still exists in the global community and that we are actively involved in this large humanitarian program.

Canadian Rotarians have raised over $41 million for polio eradication so far. Contributions can be given by individuals, Clubs (some match individual contributions) Rotary Direct, or by challenges through ‘Raise For Rotary.'”

In an interview done with northeastnow Chernesky said the eradication of polio is Rotary’s number one priority and the Town of Nipawin has been very supportive of that.

“It’s been stated that this project is the largest humanitarian project ever undertaken by a volunteer organization, so we are very proud to be a part of that. We love the community and thought that we’ll create awareness because we just think it’s important that people know what we’re doing and what our causes are, know about Polio and hopefully keep supporting it until it’s gone. We’re very happy to keep the community going in our volunteer work.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8