World Polio Day 2023: History, significance and theme

Several countries have endured the devastating effects of polio, a highly contagious and lethal disease caused by a virus that negatively impacts the nervous system, for centuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one out of every 200 polio-infected persons faces the scary possibility of being paralysed permanently. The serious effects of polio prompted a concerted effort worldwide to fight this deadly disease. World Polio Day, which is observed annually on October 24, is dedicated to creating awareness about the disease and supporting all initiatives to prevent it. This day is crucial in sensitising the world that polio vaccination is very essential and there is an ongoing fight against a disease that cripples many people in several countries.

World Polio Day was introduced in 1985 by Rotary International to honour the contributions of Jonas Salk, the head medical researcher in the research team that created the first vaccine for polio. Thereafter, the global movement to eliminate polio gained momentum in 1988, when Rotary International and the WHO established the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). At the time there were around 3,50,000 cases of polio globally. There has been significant progress since then that has resulted in the declaration of the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, as polio-free. Nevertheless, the fight has not yet ended since countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to experience occasional outbreaks of the disease.

World Polio Day serves as a key observance in the battle against polio. On this day all major health organisations, such as Rotary International, WHO, and others, celebrate the dedicated individuals and groups engaged in the global battle against polio. This observance also emphasises the importance of preventing the resurgence of the virus and encourages everyone to gather funds to achieve the final goal of its complete eradication.