By Shalini Rozario
Rotary International advocacy visit to Ethiopia to support the polio eradication efforts and participate in the National Polio Immunization campaign ©UNICEF Ethiopia/2014/Tsegaye
5 November 2014. During the week of 3 November 2014, 36 Rotarians from Canada, Ethiopia and the United States conducted an advocacy visit to Ethiopia to participate in the polio National Immunization Days, and along the way, included a stop to the UNICEF Ethiopia Country office – a partner in the global polio eradication initiative.
The visit was timely due to the intensified immunization activities underway in the country, responding to the polio outbreak which began in August 2013 – a result of the Horn of Africa polio outbreak – including Somalia and Kenya. As of November 2014, 10 cases of WPV1 (wild poliovirus type 1) have been confirmed in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.
As part of the Rotarian delegation, the Rotary Polio Advocacy Group made a special visit to the UNICEF offices where they were shown a brief video and presentation on polio eradication efforts, followed by discussion. Patrizia DiGiovanni, Acting Representative to UNICEF Ethiopia welcomed the Rotarians and appreciated their continual support and partnership in the polio eradication initiative and conveyed special thanks to Rotary for the recent grant which was announced to support polio eradication efforts in Ethiopia. The grant is part of a larger announcement which Rotary made in line with World Polio Day for US$44.7 million to fight polio in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$1.3 billion to eradication efforts globally – with resources mobilized at the most local and grassroots level through volunteer leaders – again another strong demonstration of Rotary’s historical commitment to polio eradication.
Rotary International advocacy visit to Ethiopia to support the polio eradication efforts and participate in the National Polio Immunisation campaign ©UNICEF Ethiopia/2014/Tsegaye
As part of the country visit, the 36 Rotarians visited the East Shewa zone of Oromia region to participate in the 2014 National Immunization Days. Activities included a colorful launching ceremony in Adama town on 7 November 2014 at a primary school in the presence of Dr. Kebede Worku, State Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Dr. Taye Tolera, Special Advisor to the State Minister of Health, alongside the Polio Rotary International Advocacy Group, the Federal Ministry of Health EPI team, East Shewa Zonal Health office Staff, UNICEF, WHO and partners. The group divided into smaller groups over the next couple of days and visited various kebeles within the East Shewa Zone to conduct house to house vaccination together with kebele Health Extension Workers and Health Workers. The Lume district health office and Shara Dibandiba Health post also organized a kebele launching ceremony in honor of the Rotarians. Polio T-shirt and Caps were given by Rotarians for the children and parents at the event. In total, over 600 children under 5 years of age were vaccinated by the Rotarians during the field visit.
The visiting Rotarians represent varying backgrounds, but share mutual interest and passion to support polio immunization, child health and development programmes in Ethiopia. Some of the visitors are veteran visitors to the country, some having visited Ethiopia several times – a true demonstration of commitment. The trip will help to inform and inspire Rotarian polio advocacy work at home through advocacy and fundraising chapters, and even through engagement with United States Congressional leaders.
Rotary International is one of the spearheading Global Polio Eradication Initiative Partners alongside the World Health Organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF and has been at the forefront for global polio eradication over the last three decades.
