It is extremely disheartening to read that after 2026, the UK government is to end its contributions to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), putting at risk the great efforts that have been made over the last 40 years to improve the health and wellbeing of children across the world (Polio virus detected in London days before ministers cut global eradication funding, 27 March).
The eradication of polio is a cornerstone of the humanitarian work of Rotary International (a GPEI partner). I am one of many Rotary members who have taken part in vaccination days in India and seen at first hand the dedication of local health workers in ensuring that all children are vaccinated.
We are at a critical stage in the campaign to eradicate polio. Infection numbers in Pakistan and Afghanistan are very low, but this is a result of great efforts on the ground in these last two endemic countries. A recent drive in Pakistan inoculated 45 million children.
I caught polio in 1954 at 18 months old – the year before the vaccine was introduced in the UK. As a result, I have no use in my left arm and I underwent surgery on my left leg several times in childhood – and I am one of the lucky ones. This dreadful disease, which mainly affects young children and has lifelong consequences, must be eliminated – and the work to achieve that must be adequately funded.
Gillian Russell
Winchester
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