IT HAS BEEN described as the ‘forgotten’ disease because of it being largely eradicated in almost every corner of the world – and this weekend people in Moray have a chance to help in it being totally removed from the planet.
Polio is still paralysing and killing victims is some parts of the world – and that need not be the case with an effective vaccination having been available since the 1950’s.
The World Health Organisation says that the disease has never been fully halted in Pakistan and Afghanistan – although the number of cases continues to fall from 350,000 reported instances in 1988 to just 359 last year.
That was, however, the result of a global effort – an effort that will continue as long as a single child remains infected with the virus, as failure to completely eradicate it would result with as many as 200,000 new cases recurring every year inside the next ten years.
Rotary Clubs around the world have pledged their support to the End Polio Now campaign promoted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to completely remove the disease from the planet by 2018.
Alistair Campbell from the Rotary Club of Elgin said: “The people of Moray have the opportunity to help consign polio to history on Saturday when Elgin Rotary Club holds a Coffee Morning in Elgin Town Hall from 10am until 2pm.
“Proceeds will go to towards End Polio Now and Rotary Foundation, which gives grants for Rotary’s work overseas. Foundation funding has been of significant help to the eight water and sanitation projects the Elgin club has achieved so far in Nepal.
“We look forward to great support for the End Polio Now campaign through this coffee morning – as well as the ideal opportunity to attract Christmas shoppers needing a necessary rest it provides visitors to the Cats Protection League Christmas Fair with the opportunity to enjoy some excellent baking.”
For further information Alistair can be contacted by email on galistaircampbell@hotmail.co.uk or by telephone on 01343 543593.