The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given a grant of US$255 million to fight the deadly polio virus and curb its spread in Africa and South Asia. In addition to the Gates money, the British and German governments pledged $150-million and $130-million, respectively, to curb the spread of polio.
These grants will support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative which includes Rotary International, the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. Of the US$535 million, Rotary International alone will receive US$255 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Since 1995 the government of Sri Lanka, with support from UNICEF and Rotary International has implemented National Immunization Days to eradicate polio from the country. According to Mr. K.R. Ravindran, Trustee of the Rotary Foundation and incoming Director of Rotary International a polio free world could be achieved soon.. However, he warned that the polio virus is still present in India, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan and stressed that precautionary measures should be taken to ensure that the dreaded disease does not return to Sri Lanka through travellers.
Sri Lanka was the first country to become polio free in South Asia, essentially because of its high percentage of institutionalized births, excellent field infrastructure and its mid-wife schemes coupled with its high literacy rates which enabled effective mobilization of mothers.
Remembering National Stroke Day
A 'Stroke Walk' will be held today (March 1) by the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka to commemorate National Stroke Day which fell on February 22.
The walk will start from the Town Hall premises opposite the Buddha statue at the Viharamaha Devi Park at 7. a.m.
Stroke is the 2nd highest cause of death due to medical illnesses in Sri Lanka. The National Stroke Association was formed in 2001, with the aim of minimizing the number of deaths due to stroke and creating awareness about the symptoms, prevention and treatment.
Among the activities of the National Stroke Association are islandwide seminars, research, helping stroke patients and their carers and printing and distribution of posters, newsletters and literature on strokes.
Royal Group of 66 clebrates 50 years with the school
The Royal College Group of Sixty Six will be celebrating their Golden Jubilee association with the school this year, the highlight of which would be a gala dinner dance on March 7 at Tangerine Beach Hotel, Kalutara, the weekend prior to the 130th Royal-Thomian Big Match in Colombo.
Several old boys now living abroad, along with their families will journey to Sri Lanka for the celebrations.
The Group of Sixty Six (GROSS) consists of students who joined Royal Primary School in 1959, and Royal College in 1966.
The celebration at Kalutara is co-sponsored by Hatton National Bank and
Kingfisher Airlines, and many well-wishers of the Group. |
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