Addressing the Rotarians at the National Polio Plus Orientation and Planning Meet, after accepting the ‘Polio Eradication Champion Award’ the Indian Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumamani Ramadoss said that the Government of India is fully committed to undertake all possible measures, notwithstanding the cost, for eradicating polio from the country.
Now our goal is to achieve zero transmission by 2008. During this year Government of India has allotted more than Rs. 1300 crores for the pulse polio Programme and more than 80% programme expenditure are met from our domestic budget.
Shri Deepak Kapur, Chairman, Indian National Polio Plus Committee, Rotary International, Mr. Robert S. Scott, Chairman, the Rotary Foundation & Polio Plus Committee, Rotary International and other senior leaders from the Rotary were also present at the function.
The following is the summary of the Health Minister’s speech:
I am happy to be with you all here today afternoon. I thank the Rotary International for playing the crucial role of the Global Polio Eradication partnership and contributing to the programme by donating large funds and also support in kind. In our resolve to eradicate polio, India has been consistently and steadfastly supported by various partners, in terms of funds, technical support, advocacy, etc. Rotary International has been a long-term and valued partner in this endeavor. No words are enough for describing the contribution of Rotary towards this goal. I would like to express my thanks to the Rotary International for organizing the meet with districts governors which will apprise them on the strategy being followed in our country to achieve the goal of polio eradication.
I would also like to place on record my appreciation for the admirable role-played by the India Expert Advisory Group, which comprise of national and international experts. The Group takes stock of the epidemiological situation in the country from time to time and advises the Government about the Strategy. My Ministry has valued the advice of the Group and has followed the same. I hope the Group will continue to guide the implementation of our polio eradication programme under the aegis of the World Health Organization.
I hope the meeting will provide good opportunity to discuss the strategies being adopted in our country and would go a long way in motivating the participants to work with greater commitment and dedication for achieving the goal.
I am thankful to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for conferring on me the Polio Eradication Champion Award.