Oct. 24 proclaimed as World Polio Awareness Day

Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang proclaimed Oct. 24, 2024 as World Polio Awareness Day yesterday afternoon during the Rotary Club of Saipan meeting at the Azucena Room in Crowne Plaza Resort.

Rotary Club vice president Brian Clayton read the proclamation and emphasized that polio has killed and paralyzed a multitude of children for thousands of years.

“The virus that cause poliomyelitis virus has paralyzed and killed many of the world’s children for thousands of years. The only way to defeat this terrible virus is through vaccination of all of the world’s children against polio.”

Clayton added that since 1979, Rotary International, including the Rotary Club of Saipan, working with Rotary Foundation PolioPlus and other international organizations and governments, have been dedicated to the total eradication of the virus infection worldwide.

While the international effort for polio vaccination achieved the elimination of polio from the islands of the Western Pacific by October 2000, some children are still getting this disease, and the Rotary Club of Saipan has donated a total amount of $106,734 to the Rotary Foundation PolioPlus which goes entirely to the funding of polio vaccinations.

Apatang then concluded that the proclamation aims to ensure a better future for the world.

“As we conclude this proclamation ahead of World Polio Day, let it serve as both a reflection on the progress made and a call to action. I urge all citizens to stay informed, support global vaccination efforts, and raise awareness about the ongoing fight against polio. Together, through education, advocacy, and community involvement, we can ensure that future generations live in a world where polio is a disease of the past,” he said.

The proclamation signing ended with a group photo.