There have been no new polio cases in India for the past nine months.This outstanding news is bringing hope that polio is finally on the way out.
Nobody is complacent, Rotarians and health-workers are continuing with all efforts to vaccinate every child in the country during regular National Immunisation Days NIDs. Joining them in November is a group of 18 Rotarians from the UK.
Twice a year, Rotarians from Great Britain and Ireland visit India and support Rotary clubs, who not only set up vaccination booths every few weeks and administer the protection to millions of young children but also visit the remote villages and slums too.
Rotarian Mike Yates, Rotary Club of New Mills and Marple, organises the trips and says the presence of the ‘yellow shirt brigade’ makes a difference: "People are fascinated by the bright yellow shirts we wear. By being something of a novelty, we are able to attract more families and schools to these NIDs where we can administer the medication and prevent a child from being crippled or even dying.
"Quite often we stay on for a few days after the event to help with Rotary projects in the area and improve our understanding of this amazing country.
"We are so very close to eradicating polio in India but the effort must continue. There is a fear that fewer families will come, thinking the that there is no need anymore but truth is there is every need to give every child the vaccine."
Since Rotary made the pledge in 1985 to rid the world of polio, cases have dropped by 99-percent from thousands a year across 125 endemic countries to just over a thousand in four endemic countries. In Great Britain and Ireland, over £10.5million has been raised by Rotarians for polio immunistion initiatives.
Photographer Jean-Marc Giboux made this film about the polio immunisation effort by Rotary and health partners, showing just how far volunteers are prepared to go in the battle to eradicate polio. His journey down the river takes him to some of the poorest communities in India.
This video was first published in The Guardian Newspaper, 28th October.
[vimeo:http://vimeo.com/31049458]
