Canada Has Committed More Money to Fight Polio

Canada Has Committed More Money To Fight Polio - As part of this commitment, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada will increase its anti-polio drive – adding $ 15 million in two years $ 348 million that the country of issue of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 2000.

The leaders chose to emphasize the theme of the second day of their biennial meeting. Four of them – Harper, Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard, British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the leaders of Nigeria and Pakistan, held a joint press conference with the promise of a renewed commitment to eradicate polio.

Australia has pledged an additional $ 50 million in four years, Gillard said that countries are at a critical crossroads in their decades-old efforts to rid the world of the crippling disease, which can also be fatal.

“We’re in range to declare the end of polio in the world,” she said.

For his part, Mr. Harper recalled where polio was once considered a disease that could not be prevented.

“People who have cared had the courage to dream big dreams, no less, in fact, the world would be without polio.”

Now, he said, the cost of the vaccine is only 13 cents per dose.

“When the well is so simple and cheap to do nothing is really inexcusable.”

Cameron agrees, insisting that the tools in place for vaccines and immunization of persons, there is no excuse for the delay. “

“For while we wait, the children are dying.”

Cameron said that although the countries have made much progress in recent decades, they “are not yet ready to work”, because the disease has not disappeared.

And until it is eradicated, he said, could re-emerge and spread again.

“As long as children are at risk, all children are at risk.”

Polio remains endemic in four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan (the latter three are members of the Commonwealth).

Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a public-private partnership led by WHO to eradicate polio worldwide. Canada is the eighth largest donor in the world. It was launched in 1988 by national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the Centers for Disease US Control and Prevention and UNICEF. At that time, polio was endemic in over 125 countries on five continents, paralyzing more than 1000 children every day.

Since then, the number of case has fallen by more than 99 percent. In October this year, there were 444 cases reported in the world, against 717 reported in October 2010. The initiative covers all distribution immunization of vitamin A and zinc supplements and anti-malarial bed nets. In addition to public funding, it receives support from organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

At a press conference on Saturday, the video recording of Bill Gates was a good thing, in which he congratulated the efforts of the Commonwealth and has revealed that her foundation with the addition of an extra $ 40 million.

At the top leaders of this weekend of the Commonwealth are continuing discussions on the issue of dominant containment collection – human rights.

The leaders of 54 nations of the Association, including Harper, has received two reports on Friday.

A report by a group of foreign ministers known as the Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has gained wide acceptance by the leaders of the Commonwealth.

But the second report by a panel of “eminent persons”, which include Canadian Senator Hugh Segal has divided the Commonwealth leaders, who discussed his proposals Saturday.

The advisory group made 106 recommendations including the establishment of a charter for the Commonwealth and the appointment of a Commissioner for democracy, the rule of law and human rights to monitor if the member persistent violation of human rights, and also recommend “corrective measures”.

While countries like Canada and Britain are strong supporters of this report, others in the association – which covers areas like the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia – against some of the key recommendations, including the idea of ​​democracy and the Rights Commissioner.

Harper told reporters after Friday’s meeting, he considers the report’s recommendations are “necessary to modernize the Commonwealth.”

He said he hopes leaders will make progress in their deliberations, but warned: “. I think it will be a step by step process” For example, it is understood that, between the search for Canada insurance is to protect freedom of religion. Most of the Summit of the key debates wear on Saturday night.