WHO says fight against Polio in Uganda  not over yet as Rotary celebrates milestones

The World Health Organisation has said whereas there are significant gains made, the fight against Polio in Uganda is still far from over.

Speaking during the World Polio Day celebrations organized by Rotary at Silver Springs Hotel in Kampala, Dr. Annet Kisakye, an immunization officer with the World Health Organisation said more effort is still needed to fight Polio.

“Polio is still a disease of international concern because several countries have continued to register outbreaks. We are still at risk of international spread which we have already seen in Uganda,” Dr. Kisakye said referring to a new Polio case registered in Mbale in May.

She said whereas the cases was recorded in Mbale, the case was traced to have originated from Somalia, then to Garisa in Kenya and then Mbale.

“The laboratory told us the virus( in Mbale) is linked to the one in Somalia and Garisa province in Kenya. You can see it came all the way from Somalia, Kenya and to Uganda. This was a setback to the fight against Polio. We have continued to look for the person who got that virus but we haven’t yet got them.”

She said following this new case, which was discovered in tests done on sewerage, the Ugandan government working with World Health Organisation started a campaign to vaccine all children between zero and five years.

The WHO official said it was agreed with Kenya that they too carry out the campaign of immunization at the same time.

“This was to ensure that in case Ugandan children cross over to the Kenyan side, they will be immunized from that side and vice versa. This has been a great milestone for Uganda and Kenya as far as synchronizing our first campaign of polio vaccination.”

She said the second phase of the immunization campaign will kick off in Uganda in November in 49 districts of , Karamoja, Bukedi , Teso, Busoga and Bugisu sub regions to reach 3.2 million.

“Polio is still a threat because there is a presence of high numbers of unvaccinated children but I highly call upon us to encourage the public take children for immunization.”

Dr.Kisakye however hailed Rotary International for contributing over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease around the world.

Speaking at the function, District 9213 Governor Anne Nkutu said the end of polio is within everyone’s grasp, but noted it requires unwavering focus and renewed energy.

“Rotary International’s commitment of over $2 billion and countless volunteer hours has brought the world to the brink of eradicating polio. We are close to achieving a polio-free world, a triumph of collective action and dedication,” Nkutu said.

The president of the Rotary Club of Kampala Springs, Patrick Rukyera noted that hosted the celebrations said they are committed to fulfilling their pledges in regards the Polio fight.

“All Rotary Clubs have targets for collection of funds amongst members remitted to Rotary foundation and our target as Rotary Club of Kampala Springs for this year is to contribute  $1200 and of this, we have already  paid in  $500. We hope by the end of this Rotary year in June 2025 we shall have completed the payment,” Rukyera said.

He said each member is supposed to pay  $25 and that they hope by the end of the Rotary year they will be 65 members and this number will complete the payment as scheduled.

“We are doing this to make sure we become amongst Rotary members gearing towards eradicating polio in the shortest time possible. It is our obligation to ensure within a given period, we eradicate polio.”