The Rotary Club’s of District 3870 conducted an End Polio Walk last October 27, 2018 at Gaston Park Stage, Cagayan de Oro City, in celebration of the World Polio Day.
One of Rotary’s advocacy in eradicating polio the program began in September 29, 1979 where Rotarians headed by then Rotary International President James L. Bomar Jr. and the Philippine Ministry of Health looked on as volunteers administered drops of the lifesaving Sabin polio vaccine to children in the Brgy. Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City.
The first drops of vaccine into a child’s mouth ceremonially launched the Philippine poliomyelitis immunization effort and the success of the project set the stage for Rotary’s top priority to rid the world of polio.
As a result, more than 2.5 billion children have received the oral polio vaccine. Since Rotary launched its PolioPlus campaign in 1985, the number of polio cases worldwide has dropped to 99 percent, and the virus remains endemic in only three countries — Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
In a 1993 interview, Mr. Bomar reminisced about the trip. He recalled how the brother of one of the children he had immunized tugged on his pant leg to get his attention, and said, “Thank you, thank you, Rotary.”
According to the President of Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro Mr. Alain Pacatan “End Polio walk in celebration to the World Polio Day where Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro supports global effort to “End Polio Now”.
The Rotary International continues allocating funds to countries where polio remains endemic. Further funding will support other countries to become polio-free.
Last October 27, 2018 we had a free vaccination to 50 children of selected barangay’s in Cagayan de Oro City. Asked on what other projects Rotary Club of West CdO is doing for the community,
President Alain replied “Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro is doing community needs analysis to barangays in order to determine holistic intervention in the communities. Some of the Club’s project includes; Skyhydrant Ultrafiltration Project in Barangay Bayanga and Dansolihon where potable water needs to be addressed in these remote areas, Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH project) in public schools, medical mission for disease prevention and treatment, Most Outstanding Public School Teachers Award (MOPSTA) and Uplift scholars project for basic education and literacy, Agri Exploration, seminars and skills training for economic and community development, Dakilang Ina Project for recognizing the mothers among others.”
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in communities, and in each other.
If you want to know more about Rotary, Rotary Club of West of Cagayan de Oro visit us at the VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro every Friday 6-8pm.
*Quote’s and reference were taken from www.rotary.org
(Author is Chairman of Dire Husi Initiatives, Inc., awardee of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organization or TAYO. For comments and suggestions please email at direhusi.rhyan@gmail.com)
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