Kampala 25th August 2016 - The newly elected Rotary Uganda PolioPlus Committee Chair Ms. Dorothy Naudegga Kabugo paid a courtesy visit to the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative in Uganda Dr. Alemu Wondimagegnehu at the WHO office premises. Flanked by a Rotary Uganda member, Mr. Francis Wangi, they were received by WHO’s Dr. Annet Kisakye, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Team leader who introduced them to the WHO representative. The team held extensive discussions pertaining PolioPlus activities in Uganda including existing and future partnerships between Rotary and the health sector.

Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu warmly received the guests and acknowledged the support from Rotary towards tackling Polio. He further said that the partnership of Rotary is critical to tackling Polio and other health concerns, due to their good advocacy. Dr. Alemu also highlighted the importance of collaboration between WHO and local rotary clubs because they reach a very wide area. In addition, he advised the PolioPlus committee to look into other immunization campaigns especially in areas where coverage is low.

Ms. Dorothy Naudegga Kabugo thanked WHO for the immense support they have accorded Rotary and PolioPlus since 2015. She additionally made mention of the close partnership Rotary has shared with WHO through Dr. Annet Kisakye providing technical guidance and support to the club during intensive routine immunization activities. Ms. Dorothy indicated challenges faced by Rotarians as they carry out PolioPlus work which include, cultural beliefs against immunization, ignorance of parents who do not know the benefits of immunization as well as scarcity of vaccines, and appealed to WHO to support Rotary through the challenges.

Noteworthy, in March 2015, Rotary Uganda recognized and awarded WHO for the financial and technical support accorded to them by the organization in tackling Polio. Dr. Kisakye received the award on behalf of the organization.

Since its inception, the PolioPlus campaign has seen the number of polio cases worldwide, drop by 99%. The virus remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Rotary remains committed until the disease is eradicated. Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2 billion children worldwide.

NOTE
WHO has continued to provide the technical guidance to the Uganda Ministry of Health and other partners towards the attainment of the milestones as stipulated in the polio endgame.

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01 Dr. Alemu (first left) holds discussions with the Rotarians as Dr. Kisakye (far right) looks on

02 Left to right Ms. Dorothy Naudegga  Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu Mr. Francis Wangi and Dr. Annet Kisakye at the WHO country office