Eradicating the wild poliovirus in Africa was a team effort that required cooperation and dedication of Governments, partners, Rotary members, health workers, and parents who chose to have their children vaccinated against polio.
Nigerian physician Dr. Tunji Funsho a cardiologist who is the first Rotary member to received honor for the organization’s work to eradicate polio made this known in a statement in Lagos.
Dr Funsho who was named one of TIME’s Most Influential People in the world said he played an essential role in ensuring Africa’s certification as wild polio-free in August of 2020 and honored for his work with Rotary International to eradicate wild polio in Africa.
He said he was honored to be recognized by TIME for his part in ensuring that no child in Africa will ever again be paralyzed by wild polio, a disease that once disabled 75,000 African children every single year.
As the leader of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, Dr. Funsho explained that he worked alongside Rotary members throughout the Country to raise awareness about the importance of polio immunization, encouraged Governments and public figures to support polio eradication.
He said In August 2019, Nigeria reached three years without a case of wild poliovirus. Nigeria’s progress, led by Rotary, its GPEI partners,local and national Governments, was the result of decades of sustained efforts, including domestic and international financing, the commitment of several health workers, and innovative strategies to immunize children who previously couldn’t be reached due to insecurity in the Country’s Northern States.
Godwin Udor
