Last week a new polio vaccination clinic was dedicated in Karachi, Pakistan. The clinic and training center for outreach was developed by the Rotary Club of Karachi Sunset Millennium and funded in partnership with the Rotary Club of Jamestown New York. On hand for the dedication and representing the Rotary Club of Jamestown was Rotarian David Troxell and his wife Marissa. They were graciously hosted by members of the local Karachi club.
Rotarian David Troxell administers the polio vaccine to a young Pakistani child at the new clinic in Karachi.
For more than 35 years and in 120 countries Rotary clubs of the world have led the fight in eliminating polio. The final two countries remaining reporting polio cases are Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Jamestown Rotary Club has donated more than $300,000 to the worldwide cause over these past 35 years and decided to take an active role in combatting this crippling disease onsite.
Troxell proposed this project to the Vision Committee of the Rotary Club of Jamestown which investigates ideas for both local and international projects for the Club to undertake. Proposals can be submitted to the Vision Committee by anyone. The ideas are then vetted by members of the Committee and if feasible, are proposed to the membership for undertaking.
The plaque unveiled at the Karachi, Pakistan polio clinic underwritten by the Rotary Club of Jamestown.
The Troxell’s have personally overseen this joint project to rehabilitate and improve a derelict and unsanitary vaccine dispensary. The Rotary Club of Jamestown donated $4,600 for the materials while the Karachi Sunset Millennium Club provided the workers and oversight.
The newly refurbished Karachi clinic features medical professionals trained in dispensing polio vaccine and offers outreach services generally focused on women's issues. What makes this clinic unique is the training of a group of women who go into the surrounding community to identify unvaccinated children in the area.
Troxell was included in the ceremonial opening of the clinic where he was invited to administer polio vaccine to a local child.
The newly refurbished Karachi clinic features medical professionals trained in dispensing polio vaccine and offers outreach services generally focused on women's issues. What makes this clinic unique is the training of a group of women who go into the surrounding community to identify unvaccinated children in the area.
Troxell was included in the ceremonial opening of the clinic where he was invited to administer polio vaccine to a local child.
The Troxells, center, help members of the Karachi Sunset Millennium Rotary Club plant a tree to commemorate the joint project.
In his dedication remarks, Jamestown Rotary Club member David Troxell said, "We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. From now on, this battle will be won house to house and door to door. We dare not relax. We know that if we stop our work, within 5 years over 200,000 children around the world will again suffer the crippling effects of polio. So let us rededicate ourselves today, here at this clinic, to see this effort through to the end. Let us all take this across the victory line, together."
The new outreach clinic features spotless new washrooms and toilets; a fresh water well for clean water; a consulting area; and a large outdoor training classroom for the female outreach workers.
Combined Rotary clubs around the world have donated more than 2 billion dollars in the fight to eliminate polio, which has been matched dollar for dollar by the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation.
Combined Rotary clubs around the world have donated more than 2 billion dollars in the fight to eliminate polio, which has been matched dollar for dollar by the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation.
Melissa Troxell, center, poses with a group of medical professional trainees who will administer vaccines and offer women’s outreach services.