Opinion pieces published in recognition of World Polio Day

The following opinion pieces were published on Wednesday in recognition of World Polio Day, observed annually on October 24.

• Seth Berkley, Wall Street Journal's "India Real Time" blog: "Today, on World Polio Day, we recognize India's achievement," Berkley, CEO of the GAVI Alliance, writes, noting, "The country has not seen a case of polio in more than 18 months." He continues, "India's success is one of the biggest public health achievements in recent history. It has brought us closer than ever to eradicating the disease" (10/24).
• Carolyn Miller, Huffington Post U.K.'s "Lifestyle" blog: "Like most people who have grown up in the U.K., I used to think of polio as more or less eradicated," but "[i]n the Central African Republic (CAR) I found proof that polio is frighteningly common," Miller, chief executive of the international health organization Merlin, writes. She discusses Merlin's efforts to vaccinate nearly half a million children in the country and states, "I am convinced that there are few obstacles which cannot be overcome with sufficient will. ... World Polio Day gives us the chance to celebrate the fact that we might see this debilitating disease eradicated in our lifetime. That is my hope" (10/24).
• Dennis Ogbe, CNN: "As an athlete, I enjoy competition -- but there is a battle happening off the field that is more important: the fight to end polio," writes Ogbe, a U.S. paralympian who was crippled by the disease in his home country of Nigeria at the age of three. Ogbe discusses progress made in the fight against polio and states, "It happened because the global community launched an unprecedented effort called the Global Polio Eradication Initiative." He continues, "But we can't stop now. ... We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make history and finally eradicate polio from our planet. Each of us can make a difference this World Polio Day" (10/24).
• James Roosevelt, New York Daily News: "I want to remind New Yorkers that there's another freedom for which [President Franklin D. Roosevelt] fought strongly, both body and soul: freedom from polio," James Roosevelt, president and CEO of Tufts Health Plan and the grandson of FDR, writes. He discusses FDR's contributions to polio efforts in the U.S. and writes, "Today, FDR would be proud to see the progress we've made. ... Achieving a polio-free world will not be a simple task, but it can be done, and is the greatest way of honoring my grandfather's legacy" (10/24).