While appreciating the efforts by the country to contain polio cases, Bill Gates has cautioned India not to be complacent especially when its neighbour Pakistan is yet to achieve polio-free status.
The leading philanthropist made this remarks while meeting the Rotary International India, the partner in the polio drive, here during his three-day visit to India and discussing the measures and strategies forward in the anti-polio drive.
Gates met Rotary leaders – Rajendra K Saboo, past president, Rotary International, Ashok M Mahajan, trustee and member, International PolioPlus Committee and Deepak Kapur, chairman, India National PolioPlus Committee of Rotary International. On the importance of Routine Immunization, Rotary led the discussion for improved coverage to ensure children are healthy to fight other diseases including Polio and their support for the same.
Rotary International India assured of all help to Pakistan in eradicating polio. Rotary International said how Rotary Pakistan and their Rotarian counterparts are leading the efforts and are in constant touch and discussing the fight against Polio and the way India fought and achieved triumph. Dr Rajendra K Saboo, past president, Rotary International said, “If need be, we will be ready to offer assistance to polio stricken victims of Pakistan offering them polio corrective surgeries in India or in Pakistan through our network.”
Rotary attributed the basic reasons for India’s success primarily due to the total ownership of the campaign by the Government together with State Governments and also the introduction of bivalent vaccine.
Gates was apprised of the successful model of Muslim Ulema Committee formed by Rotary in U.P under the leadership of Trustee Ashok Mahajan, which led to the minority community leaders playing a crucial role in achieving the polio-free status. Rotary suggested that similar kind of committee could be formed in Pakistan and is being pursued.
Rotary expressed that having India taken off the endemic list is not the end in itself. The goal for three consecutive years without a case of virus, thereafter is the certification of Polio-free India, followed by the phase-out of OPV too is essential for India to be certified as a Polio free nation.
Rotary International is the spearheading partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative –consisting of WHO, UNICEF, CDC and Rotary – that together with the Gates Foundation have been instrumental in bringing out the resolution recently by the World Health Assembly to declare Polio a global public health emergency.