The Suna Migori Rotary Club has held a procession in Migori Town to champion the ‘End Polio Now’ campaign, an annual event organised by the Rotary International Club.
According to the Regional Coordinator, Rotary Club-Western Region Official Rose Waringa, the aim of the annual event, conducted on a rotational basis, is to ensure Migori County remains a polio-free zone.
Rotarian Waringa stated that there have been reported cases of polio in the neighbouring country of Tanzania, which borders Migori County, making it necessary to create awareness and sensitise the community on the importance of immunization.
She disclosed that the club offers opportunities and support for immunization to ensure every child is vaccinated against polio, to make sure the future generation is healthy and energetic.
She also said that Rotary International is a nonprofit organization where people volunteer with their time, skills, and resources in order to give back to the community.
“I am encouraging those who are willing to join our Rotary family to do so as long as they have the passion to help those who are less privileged in society,” she said.
One of the major pillars of Rotary Club International has been disease prevention with the aim of eradicating diseases in the community where there operates.
The procession was flagged by Rotary Club officials from Western Region, including Bugoma, Siaya and Kisumu, a polio campaign that has contributed to zero polio cases in at least five counties from Western Region.
The event was also accompanied by a blood donation to help boost the blood bank for the Migori County Referral Hospital.
Migori County Blood Transfusion Coordinator Catherine Adera said that the Suna Migori Rotary Club blood donation initiative will help save the lives of Migori residents, especially in cases of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) among mothers, those with blood disorders like sickle cell, dialysis procedures, those undergoing surgical procedures and children with severe anemia.
Adera explained that Migori County Referral Hospital needs 1200 units of blood per month to save lives, thanking the Suna Migori Rotary Club for the initiative that will help ensure the county has a sufficient blood bank.
By Makokha Khaoya
