From 350,000 to 27!

Ireen Nyerinda (Sinkhani health worker in Malawi) greets mothers in Chisemphere who
have come to have their babies weighed and to receive information on
immunizations, nutrition, and other ways to benefit their children.

Health workers around the world are to be congratulated on a huge milestone!  The incidence of new polio cases has declined from 350,000 in 1988 (If you are older than 28 this was during your lifetime) to a low of 27 new cases in 2016.  Polio is almost extinct.

The United Nations, UNICEF and other large child advocate groups deserve a lot of credit for making this happen, but a huge high-five goes to the indefatigable volunteer health workers who have diligently worked to make immunizations acceptable to village women.  Myths, traditional beliefs, and erroneous information (plus the fact that some babies do run a slight fever and become fussy after an immunization) have made the health worker's jobs tough indeed.  But persevere they have and now the world is reaping the benefits.  We're marching rapidly toward zero!!!