Abuja: The Rotary Foundation is targeting malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia, Africa’s leading killers of children, through its Rotary Healthy Community Challenge. Mr Holger Knaack, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees, announced this initiative in Abuja during a medical outreach, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to combat these diseases by deploying teams to various communities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Knaack explained that the foundation is also focusing on maternal and child health via its Together for Healthy Families initiative, which aims to ensure safe childbirth for mothers and babies. He further reiterated Rotary’s dedication to eradicating polio globally, highlighting that despite Africa being free of wild poliovirus for five years, continuous vaccination efforts are crucial until the disease is completely eradicated worldwide.
Ms. Ijeoma Okoro, a Rotary Trustee, stated that the Foundation’s efforts have already led to a reduction in maternal and child mortality by over 28 percent. Current projects are underway in Ekiti, Nasarawa, FCT, and Gombe, with plans to expand to 10 states by 2026. She emphasized the need for community engagement, collaboration with traditional rulers, and media advocacy to raise awareness, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and ensure the sustainability of public health interventions.