Chris Offer's South Sudan Polio Investigation
Chris had accepted the invitation to take the trip on behalf of Rotary International and the Foundation to investigate and report on the effectiveness of Rotary’s investment in the campaign in what is now the world’s newest nation, which has since achieved independence on July 9, 2011. The anti-polio campaign is also funded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Unicef and the Centres for Disease Control.
Chris reported that the new nation, the size of British Columbia or all of France, has all of 18 miles of road, so virtually no transportation infrastructure, has no power grid and a minimal telecommunications network. Yet people are constantly in transition as they come and go on foot or by other basic modes of transportation. That ongoing migration adds to the tremendous challenge of controlling the disease.
We heard from Chris that any sign of early paralysis in the arms or legs of children triggers an immediate response to catch the disease through immunization of those affected and any others in the surrounding families and communities. Samples from any possible polio patient are sent to international disease control laboratories to confirm, then treatment is provided as required. Visiting various health clinics, Chris was able to audit that process in consultation with health professionals on site. Chris assured us that Rotary funds were well spent in the cause of keeping our collective, international promise to, “End Polio Now”.
| On July 9th South Sudan became the world's newest country. PDG Chris Offer reflects on a recent trip to South Sudan. | |
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PDG Chris Offer, Rotary Club of Ladner, District 5040
As my Ethiopian airlines flight landed in Juba, South Sudan, I was struck by the 30 United Nations aircraft on the runway. There was every type of aircraft from small planes to a Hercules transport to helicopters. Juba is the staging location of the UN's largest humanitarian mission.
What brought me to South Sudan, the world's newest country, was a phone call from PRIVP Bob Scott a member of the Rotary Club of Cobourg, Ontario and chair of the International PolioPlus Committee. Dr. Scott asked if I would represent Rotary on a polio surveillance in April 2011 in South Sudan.
The technical advisory group which manages polio eradication in the Horn of Africa were concerned with the quality of polio data from South Sudan. They wanted a team on the ground to assess the polio campaign even though no confirmed polio cases have been reported since 2009. The strife in South Sudan made obtaining reliable information difficult. South Sudan, one of the world's poorest countries, has had more than 20 years of devastating civil war, leaving millions in refugee camps.
After two days of planning and security briefings in Juba the ten team members from WHO, UNICEF, CDC (US Centers for Disease Control) dispersed to their assigned area.
I travelled with Dr. Ann Buff from WHO on a UN flight to Rumbek, landing on the dirt runway. Our task was to examine medical records in very isolated medical clinics to see if all suspected polio cases are reported. I also wanted to see how Rotary's polio eradication dollars are being invested and what recognition Rotary receives.
The early hint of polio is children with paralysis of legs or arms. Childhood paralysis has many causes, however it is important that every case is examined to eliminate polio. When a paralysis case is reported a health worker bicycles, often 50 km or more on dirt roads to collect stool samples from the child, their siblings and from children in the village. The samples are flown to a lab in Kenya. If the sample is positive a mass immunization program is launched.
I met amazing dedicated medical staff at very remote clinics operated by government, NGOs, religious groups and traditional health workers. They work with limited infrastructure in tough surroundings to eliminate polio.
Our conclusion is that suspected polio cases in the areas we were able to visit are being investigated. However, due to security concerns such as landmines, violence and the vast transient population we were unable to visit all areas and cannot confidently conclude there are no polio cases in South Sudan.
I found the Rotary wheel on local polio posters, banners, hats and shirts. The people of South Sudan may not always know what Rotary is, they do know we care about their children.
I came away with deep respect for WHO and the local health clinic workers. These dedicated people are a key component of polio eradication. They work under unbelievably difficult conditions to get the job done. Rotary is privileged to have such partners.
Rotarians should be confident that their dollars are being well spent and well managed in South Sudan. We will keep our promise to the children of the world. | |