根除小兒痲痺等病計劃大事紀

PolioPlus highlights

根除小兒痲痺計劃集中火力在動亂區域

Polio eradication initiative focuses on trouble spots

from: Rotary World-2003/05

雖然小兒痲痺流行國的數目已經縮減為7國，要根除剩餘國家的小兒痲痺仍困難重重。在2002年小兒痲痺病例依然增加的印度與奈及利亞，剷除小兒痲痺的行動已經進入緊鑼密鼓的階段。

While the number of polio-endemic countries has shrunk to seven, eradicating polio in the remaining countries poses challenges. Efforts to stamp out polio have moved into high gear in India and Nigeria, the only nations registering an increase in polio cases in 2002.

在印度，扶輪與其全球根除行動的夥伴已經採取非常的步驟，來防止類似去年小兒痲痺大流行再度重演。去年的疫情主要集中在北方邦(Uttar Pradesh)，也促使印度的小兒痲痺病例從2001年的268件暴增至2002年的1,556件-佔全球新病例數的85%。

In India, Rotary and its global eradication partners have taken extraordinary steps to prevent a recurrence of last year's polio epidemic, which was concentrated in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The outbreak was largely responsible for India's polio cases jumping from 268 in 2001 to 1,556 in 2002 - representing 85 percent of all new cases worldwide.

全球根除小兒痲痺的合作夥伴和印度與北方邦的政府合作，征召印度的電影與板球明星和社區與回教領袖來宣傳這項活動，並釐清小兒痲痺疫苗對兒童有害的不實恐懼。數十萬名兒童參加凸顯免疫重要性的繪畫比賽，數千個社區也里辦集會來進行宣導。

Working with the governments of India and Uttar Pradesh, the global eradication partners enlisted Indian film and cricket stars and community and Muslim leaders to publicize the campaign and allay fears that polio vaccines endanger children. Hundreds of thousands of children participated in drawing competitions to highlight immunizations, and rallies were organized in a thousand communities.

2003年1月初，各界高階領袖出席宣傳全國免疫日活動，獲得廣泛注意。北方邦的省長在與扶輪的代表團會面之後，誓言親自監督該省根除工作的進度。

In early January 2003, an array of top leaders attended high-profile events promoting National Immunization Days (NIDs). After meeting with Rotary's delegation, Uttar Pradesh's chief minister vowed to personally monitor eradication progress in the state.

扶輪十分關心小兒痲痺的疫情，遂於2002年10月核發一筆近500萬美元的新的獎助金，強化在印度的根除小兒痲痺工作，使扶輪在該國的總捐款金額超過4,600萬美元。這筆獎助金用來聘請當地人挨家挨戶進行免疫工作。

Deeply concerned about the epidemic, Rotary in October 2002 reinforced its high level of polio eradication activities in India by awarding a new grant of almost US$5 million, bringing Rotary's total contributions there to more than $46 million. The grant helped pay for hiring local vaccinators to go house to house.

這項旨在讓每一位印度兒童在1月與2月服用疫苗的活動獲得廣泛的宣傳，獲得數千名印度扶輪社員支持親身參與，也獲得美國、加拿大、澳洲扶輪社員奧援。印度全國根除小兒痲痺等疾病計畫委員會主委卡普爾(Deepak Kapur)表示，接種疫苗的兒童數目顯著增加，前景相當樂觀。

The well-publicized effort to vaccinate every Indian child during January and February enjoyed the hands-on support of thousands of Indian Rotarians, joined by U.S., Canadian, and Australian Rotarians. Deepak Kapur, chairman of India's National PolioPlus Committee, found reason for optimism, citing a marked increase in the number of children immunized.

奈及利亞的小兒痲痺病例數從2001年的56件增加到2002年的191件，根除小兒痲痺夥伴對於該國的防疫工作也同樣孜孜不倦。在上一梯次的全國免疫日前夕，奈及利亞的副總統呼籲傳統領袖出席一場宣導會議，確使小兒痲痺根除計畫在各社區順利推行，並澄清小兒痲痺疫苗會傷害兒童的謠言。

In Nigeria, where polio cases increased from 56 in 2001 to 191 in 2002, the polio eradication partners show the same diligence in fighting the disease. Before the last NIDs, Nigeria's vice president called traditional rulers to a sensitization meeting to ensure that the polio eradication program was community driven and to defuse rumors that oral polio vaccine harms children.