Eradicating Polio

Michael asks:

Dear Sharma

By way of introduction, my name is Michael Sheldrick and I serve as Australian Campaign Manager for the Global Poverty Project.

Thanks to efforts led by Rotarians, we have reduced the number of cases of polio by 99% since 1988. I wanted to share with an unprecedented oppourtunity at CHOGM later this year to End Polio forever and ask for your support in calling on Commonwealth leaders to support a polio free world. With 3 out of 4 of the countries where polio remains endemic also members of the Commonwealth, we believe this is the right thing to do.

Kind regards
Michael (Perth)

The Secretary-General replies:

Commonwealth countries have achieved tremendous progress towards polio eradication and, as you point out, 51 of our 54 member states are now free from polio. We have worked closely with member states and political leaders for many years towards this goal, and continue to support those that have yet to achieve total eradication, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. It is encouraging to recognise the successful efforts of Bangladesh in remaining polio-free since November 2006.

Among our member states, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, have provided important financial support for global polio eradication. We commend the continuing efforts of the Global Poverty Project together with Rotarians to raise awareness of the need to press on towards total eradication worldwide, a goal the Commonwealth shares and to which all our member countries are committed. The Secretariat is mandated by Commonwealth leaders to work with member countries to strengthen health systems, build capacity to address the health needs of our citizens and achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals.

Kamalesh Sharma