A Challenge I Could Not Refuse

A Deadly Disease

Polio is a paralysing and deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children. The virus typically spreads from person to person from contaminated water. It can then affect the nervous system.

In 1979 RI President L. Bomar Jr. put the first polio vaccine drops in a child’s mouth launching the Philippine Polio Immunisation effort, Rotary’s first Health, Hunger and Humanity Project.  The project’s success led Rotary to launch Polio-Plus in 1985, the first and largest coordinated private sector public health initiative with an initial fund-raising target of US$ 120 million.

It spearheaded the launch of Global Polio Eradication initiative in 1988 with WHO, UNICEF and others with the goal of eradicating polio by the year 2000.  It was called Polio-Plus to express Rotary’s conviction that a focussed attack on polio would also spur a dramatic increase in the immunisation against other preventable diseases - measles, diphtheria, tuberculosis, whooping cough and tetanus, by providing the effort and financial support needed to improve the cold chain and transportation.

Best Person To Lead

There were an estimated 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries. The average cost to fully protect a child was $3.00.

Polio-Plus and its high fund-raising target was discussed at a regular club meeting, and as a consequence, as a doctor, I was felt to be the best person to lead this project.  Although I was a busy self-employed 24/7 GP with full list of patients, I agreed and accepted it as a challenge. A small committee was formed. Club Member Harry Boughen was appointed a district representative for Polio-Plus. 

I had no experience of fund-raising on this scale, but I had my wife Maya for help and full support. She arranged several Indian dinner evenings, helped in arranging various quiz evenings, organising interesting four-course lunches where members moved around various homes having a different course in each.

Hundred Club Support

A Hundred Club was organised to give long term support and a weekly raffle was assigned to this project.  Sale of Christmas cards, Brian Hughes taking part in the London Marathon, sponsored bike ride by one of my friends, all helped the project.

I displayed a Polio-Plus poster in my consulting room.  Anyone who showed interest was requested for donation.  Pharmaceutical representatives were requested for donations instead of any offers for gifts or lunches.

Efforts were successful and fund raisings always surpassed the target sums in the years it was run. I am very grateful for the support from all our Rotarians.