Full funding for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative would not only provide vaccines for hundreds of millions of the world's poorest children and support health workers to protect future generations from this debilitating disease.
The Weapon
RESULTS is committed to increasing political support and resources at the global level to improve the delivery of new and basic vaccines in countries with a high burden of vaccine-preventable deaths.
RESULTS is committed to increasing political support and resources at the global level to improve the delivery of new and basic vaccines in countries with a high burden of vaccine-preventable deaths.
The protection that vaccines give against easily preventable diseases is often the difference between life and death. Vaccines are one of the most efficient, successful and cost-effective tools for saving children’s lives and as a key element of healthcare, immunization is also the right of every child.
The Background
Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that attacks the nervous system. In the 1950-60s, polio epidemics swept through Australia, America and Europe, causing fear and panic in communities around the world. Families barricaded themselves in their homes in an attempt to protect vulnerable children against the rapid spread of this potentially fatal disease.
Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that attacks the nervous system. In the 1950-60s, polio epidemics swept through Australia, America and Europe, causing fear and panic in communities around the world. Families barricaded themselves in their homes in an attempt to protect vulnerable children against the rapid spread of this potentially fatal disease.
Today, vaccination programs ensure that polio epidemics are a distant memory for most of the world. In fact, the number of polio cases reported annually has decreased by over 99 per cent – from 350,000 in 1988 to 1,606 cases in 2009.
However, as is usually the case, this devastating disease does continue to threaten children in our world’s poorest communities.
The Opportunity
In 1998, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) began spearheading an effort to support country governments to immunize every child against polio until transmission stops and the world is polio-free.
Since the GPEI’s momentous launch, nearly five million children, who otherwise would have been paralyzed and incapacitated by polio, are walking, able and symptoms-free. Right now, the total eradication of this vicious disease is within reach.
The Obstacle
In the final phase of its critical work to rid the world of Polio, GPEI is constrained by a funding gap of $590 million. We are asking Governments to commit to finish the job on polio eradication so its debilitating effects are never felt again, anywhere in the world.
A $50 million contribution from Australia – the announcement of which could coincide with World Polio Day and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting being held in Perth in October – would be a huge step towards bridging this funding gap.
The Action
You can take action in the fight against polio by signing a petition that calls on world leaders to ensure full funding is secured for the critical work of the GPEI. Full funding for 2012-13 will provide vaccines for hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest children and support health workers to protect future generations from this debilitating disease.
For more information, and to join the call to eradicate the second human disease in history, go to: http://www.theendofpolio.com/home/
No comments:
Post a Comment