In advance of World Polio Day (October 24), Bill discusses the historic opportunity to end polio.
World Polio Day is simultaneously a celebration and a call to action.
It's a celebration because in the past 20 years, polio cases are down 99 percent, thanks to one of the most ambitious global health campaigns in history. Through a vast partnership, we've delivered polio drops to children in impossible circumstances -- in active war zones, in remote mountainous regions that are unreachable for months at a time. It's a great achievement.
But World Polio Day is also a call to action because we haven't done enough yet. Polio is still paralyzing children. The last one percent is the hardest percent, and we have to do even more than we've already done if we hope to finish the job on polio. The day the world is declared polio free is the day we can really begin celebrating.
Some of the things we need more of include strong management, accountability and political commitment in countries where polio is still a threat. The community also needs to think about being increasingly innovative in getting vaccines to children who are not being reached today.
India has exemplified these, and earlier in the year the federal government of Pakistan also stepped up its fight to end polio. President Asif Ali Zardari launched a National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication and is pressing hard for change at many levels to win the fight against polio.
I am optimistic that the necessary support will be forthcoming in other countries. I've been talking with a lot of the leaders who must show that commitment, and I believe they'll do what they say.
In Nigeria, I met with President Goodluck Jonathan, and he made a point of inviting eight of his senior ministers to the meeting so they could hear the promises he was making about polio very clearly. When I travelled to different parts of the country I found it encouraging to witness that same resolve echoed by many leaders.
In Chad, I joined President Idriss Deby Idno to launch a three-day polio campaign. The ministers in attendance brought their own children to be vaccinated, and then President Deby and I vaccinated several children, which is always a thrill for me. When I gave short remarks at the event, the translator walked with crutches because he had been stricken by polio as a boy.
The rest of the world needs to provide financial support to help polio-affected countries run high-quality campaigns. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is taking place next week in Perth, Australia. This meeting will include heads of government in countries where polio is still endemic, such as India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. It will also include heads of government in countries that have been generous donors to polio eradication, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. That generosity must continue.
I am hopeful that additional funding pledges will come out of the meeting in Perth, and that advocates from around the world join the cause, so that leaders like President Jonathan and President Deby can keep their promises.
Bill Gates is the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He regularly posts his thoughts about the Foundation's work and other projects on his personal web site, The Gates Notes.
Follow Bill Gates on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BillGates
Dr Sania Nishtar: Pakistan and Polio
Rotary clubs across Britain and Ireland have donated £10.5 million to polio immunisation intiatives, and Rotarians worldwide have raised around $1,000 million. Thanks to Rotary and its partners, polio cases have fallen from 1,000 each day to fewer than 1,000 a year (950 in 2010.) #rotaryendpolio
“The world's population, long expected to stabilize just above 9 billion in the middle of the century, will instead keep growing and may hit 10.1 billion by the year 2100, the United Nations projected in a report recently released.â€
“Growth in Africa remains so high that the population could more than triple in this century, rising from today's 1 billion to 3.6 billion, the report said — a sobering forecast for a continent already struggling to provide adequate food and water.â€
It's very difficult to accept.
It's devastating, in fact.
Maybe he should have told your father about them.
www.ageofautism.com/2011/09/the-age-of-polio-how-an-old-virus-and-new-toxins-triggered-a-man-made-epidemic.html
I appreciate your concern and what you have been doing for world health. I think, the most of the suffering in this world is due to inefficient, dishonest leaders. Some of them might have some paper education but they never learned how to take care of people but they know how to lie efficiently and taking care of their interest only.
Why not creating "Gates institute of civics and leadership" worldwide where bright kids will be selected and taught leadership, creativity. Where they will pursue real knowledge which will give them vision as leaders. Where they will be taught respect towards human dignity, environment, stop cruelty towards humans and animals etc etc. It cold be started in few countries first than can be expanded. They can help each other in future too.They can be taught by volunteer teachers and students from US and allover the world.
Power and ability does not always come to every body. Think how much you can do with your ability and influence. I think you will get a lot of help. In 10-15 yrs, we will see a change. I hope you read this. This is probably the best way I can communicate with you. Wishing you a good health.
Regds.
IMHO, wonderful to see your philanthropic efforts, but nothing happens in a vacuum.
No point saving a life only to see it lost due to starvation for Malthusian reasons.
Birth control, corruption ... are also part of the equation.
A holistic approach is required.
Maybe you should start a drug company - i suspect high prices for the drug are a hindrance.
I hear a major barrier is ignorant mullas suspecting a western plot - with some justice - I hear the CIA used vaccination as a ploy to track down OSB via his offspring in Pakistan.
A reply from the great man would be one for the grandkids.