Kenya in Sh400m boost to fight polio

Nairobi: Kenya is among 47 African countries set to benefit from a Sh400 million (US$4.7 million) grant from Rotary to boost the fight against polio.

The amount is part of Sh2 billion ($23.6 million) lined to support polio eradication efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.

The funding commitment comes against a backdrop of reports indicating 218 polio cases in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia by March 2014 and will fund polio surveillance and technical assistance activities targeting children under five.

The support from Rotary will complement efforts the Government has undertaken to intensify immunisation across the country, especially along border points and amongst pastoral communities that are major targets of the initiative.

House-to-house vaccination will also be conducted to ensure every child is reached.

As part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the grant will play a major role in helping eradicate the disabling viral disease worldwide by 2018.

"We are this close to ending polio in Africa," said Ashok Mirchandani, who chairs the Rotary African Regional PolioPlus Committee.