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What
Is the Polio Eradication Project?
The
Beginning In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate polio by the year 2005. Since then the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has become the largest public health initiative in history, utilizing the skills and talents of the WHO, UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control, Rotary International, USAID and hundreds of other private NGOs. In 1997, the International
Broadcasting Bureau, through the Voice of America, launched a multimedia
project in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
The IBB has brought together
the international broadcasting power of the Voice of America and WORLDNET
Television to report on and increase awareness of polio eradication and
related activities. The goal of this project has been to mobilize
adults to immunize children during National Immunization Days and routinely
throughout the year. The Polio Eradication Project also seeks to
influence local and national media in polio endemic areas to continue
providing coverage of National Immunization Days and to generate interest
among political and media
"We are dealing with the largest public-private
health initiative in the history of the world."
-Herb Pigman, Rotary International
VOA and the Polio Eradication Initiative Each week an estimated 91
million people tune in regularly to VOA broadcasts in 53 languages.
The vast majority of our listeners live in information-deprived societies,
and for them VOA remains a vital lifeline of news and information about
their own societies and the rest of the world. The nexus between
the free flow of information and a people's ability to solve problems
is a critical one, and it is no coincidence that many information starved
societies have enormous public health problems. Top
VOA’s Pashto, Urdu and Dari language
services have produced radio soap operas promoting polio eradication and
good child health practices. Top VOA’s Bangla Service and the
Polio Eradication Project intends to continue to support the volunteer
effort of VOA Fans Clubs in Bangladesh. Top This daily 24 hour service is downlinked via satellite by television stations, cable systems and U.S. Embassies and cultural centers around the world. VOA broadcasts feature magazines, documentaries, live call-in and public affairs shows about business, scientific and technological developments, and health issues among others. VOA joined has developed and broadcast
six interactive "Africa Journal" programs focusing on polio eradication
activities in West Africa, two "Health Watch" program featuring global
polio eradication activities and two news features on eradication efforts
in India. Top
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In 1997, VOA began its Polio Eradication Project with increased reporting
of eradication efforts and other related health issues. Sixteen VOA Language
Services are participating in the Initiative. They are English to Africa,
French to Africa, Portuguese to Africa, Swahili, Amharic, Afan Oromo,
Hausa, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, Pashto, Dari,
Turkish, and Uzbek. So far, VOA reporters have filed over 3000 news reports
and feature stories from 34 countries. Topics covered include the status
of local and regional immunization campaigns, the importance of vaccinations,
investigation of vaccine myths and rumors, disease surveillance and other
practical health information. 
Listener
contests are an important motivational and educational tool. During the
contests, VOA listeners are asked a series of polio related questions
whose answers are story topics broadcast sometime later in the week. Listeners
are asked to mail their responses to VOA and winners are drawn from a
pool of correct entries. Contest prizes range from a Free Play Energy
Company wind-up radio, donated by the manufacturer, to small cash prizes.
Urdu, Hindi, Bangla, English to Africa, Swahili, Hausa and French to Africa.
