As Uganda joins the global community in commemorating World Polio Day on Thursday, October 24, 2024, the Rotary Club has launched a nationwide polio immunization campaign.

The initiative aims to strengthen immunization efforts and protect children from the crippling disease.

The Rotary Club President Phoebe Kisibo, who was installed as the 9th president of the Rotary Club of Kisugu Victoria View, revealed that at least 200 children were vaccinated during the launch of the polio immunization campaign at Kisugu Health Center III.

She further emphasized the urgent need to vaccinate all children under 5 years, citing a recent polio outbreak in Mbale as a reminder of the persistent threat.

The Ministry of Health confirmed a polio outbreak in Mbale city on May 31, 2024.

‘’We shall work to bring the polio vaccine and other health services to every child, including going to different districts,’’ Kisibo noted.

However, Rotary International and Rotarians around the world are using the day as an opportunity to showcase the current status of the eradication effort and what steps need to be taken to ultimately achieve a lasting world free of all polio viruses.

Polio is an illness caused by a virus that mainly affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem.

In its most severe form, polio can lead to a person being unable to move certain limbs, also called paralysis. It can also lead to trouble breathing and sometimes death.