Mr. Speaker, World Polio Day reminds us that polio is still a threat for too many people in this world, but thanks to champions like Rotary International, we remain close to our goal of eradicating polio through immunization. Polio vaccinations have reached over 2.5 billion children, bringing hope and health to countless families.
At the recent Rotary International conference in Toronto, our government announced $151 million to support the global polio eradication initiative, funding that will vaccinate over 370 million children annually and prevent 600,000 cases of paralysis and death.
While we celebrate a 99.9% success rate, the final 0.1% remains our toughest challenge. Polio is still endemic in some countries and outbreaks threaten us, particularly in regions affected by war. The continued circulation of polio in this world highlights a crucial truth: Peace is essential for health.
As we observe World Polio Day, let us renew our shared commitment to ensure that no child lives in fear of this disease.