(END POLIO NOW CAMPAIGN. Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago poses with the officers and members of different Rotary clubs in Pampanga and Fernandino participants of the “End Polio Now” campaign of the City Government of San Fernando and Rotary International on October 24, 2019 at Heroes Hall.)
The City Government of San Fernando and Rotary International partnered for an awareness campaign in a fight to end polio at Heroes Hall on October 24, 2019.
In line with the observance of World Polio Day, the campaign was composed of a seminar for parents about the causes of Polio and the ways to avoid the said disease; and, free vaccination for a number of Fernandino children.
(END POLIO NOW CAMPAIGN. Dr. Renely Tungol, City of San Fernando Rural Health Physician, administers vaccine to a Fernandino child during the “End Polio Now” campaign of the City Government of San Fernando and Rotary International on October 24, 2019 at Heroes Hall.)
In a presentation, Dr. Renely Tungol, City Rural Health Physician, explained that Polio, or Poliomyelitis, is a disease caused by the consumption of food or drink that contains poliovirus.
Polio may lead to paralysis, difficulty in breathing, and even death. In his message, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago extended his gratitude to the Rotary International for the partnership which aims to avoid the occurrence of Polio in the city.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Rotary International at iba’t-ibang clubs sa Pampanga sa pagsama sa atin sa kanilang layunin upang labanan ang pagkalat ng Polio. Bagaman wala pa tayong kaso nito sa Syudad, puspusan ang pagbibigay-kaalaman at bakuna sa mga magulang at bata,” Santiago said.
Alex Patio, Assistant Governor of Rotary International Cluster 4A District 3790, said that the “End Polio Now” campaign is one of the major projects of the organization.
“Ang kampanyang ito ay isa sa mga ipinagmamalaki naming proyekto. Tayo po ay isang organisasyon na walang-sawa ang pagtatrabaho upang mapawala ang sakit na Polio sa buong mundo. Nandito kami upang hikayatin ang mga magulang na suportahan ang pagbabakuna, katuwang ang lokal na pamahalaan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fernandinos, through the City Health Office, are reminded to follow the “3 Kontra-Polio” tips: vaccination, hand-washing and proper human waste disposal. World Polio Day is observed by thousands of Rotary clubs around the world through the holding of fundraising activities to strengthen global fight against polio.
The City of San Fernando and the whole province of Pampanga remain to be polio-free as of this writing, even after cases were confirmed in some parts of the country.
