Boost in battle against polio (From Thisisdorset)

Boost in battle against polio

8:51am Tuesday 4th December 2007 in

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FOLLOWING the recent story of former Portland GP Dr Keith Barnard-Jones's involvement with Rotary International's fight against polio comes the news that the partnership with the Bill and Melanie Gates Foundation has been cemented.

Dr Barnard-Jones has announced that the news has been sent to Rotary clubs worldwide by Rotary International president Wilfred Wilkinson and Rotary Foundation chairman Robert S Scott, who described the sealing of the partnership as a historic day for Rotary'.

Together, this partnership will provide a much-needed $200 million in support of Rotary International's top goal of a polio-free world.

The Gates Foundation has awarded The Rotary Foundation a challenge grant of $100 million which Rotary will match, dollar for dollar, over three years.

This is the largest single grant ever given to a volunteer service organization and represents a tremendous validation of the approach and success of Rotary's PolioPlus programme.

The letter stated that this partnership comes at a critical juncture for the polio eradication initiative, which needs an infusion of funds to reach the ultimate goal.

For this reason, the initial $100 million will be distributed by Rotary Foundation through grants to the World Health Organization and UNICEF in direct support of polio immunization activities in 2008.

The message to all Rotarians is that their participation in this effort is crucial to making it a success.

The Rotary International board of directors and the trustees of The Rotary Foundation have unanimously agreed to accept this challenge grant to ensure the success of the PolioPlus program, and it was stated that they feel confident that this extraordinary commitment from the Gates Foundation and Rotary will serve as a catalyst for further donations from others to help them realize the dream of a polio-free world.

Mr Wilkinson stated: "In 1985, we promised every child a world free from the threat of polio, and we are almost there.

"This funding agreement between Rotary and the Gates Foundation is a huge step forward, bringing us even closer to our goal."

As co-chairman of the Bill and Melanie Gates Foundation, Mr Gates had stated: "The extraordinary dedication of Rotary members has played a critical role in bringing polio to the brink of eradication and achieving this will be one of the most significant accomplishments in history."

Dr Barnard-Jones, who is a member of the Rotary International PolioPlus committee, said: "This partnership is superb news and it acknowledges the worth of Rotary's PolioPlus Campaign".