Harry Hooyenga spoke to the Stryker Rotary Club on their regular meeting on November 17, 2015. He told the club that the fight to eliminate polio is nearing the end. Two countries are all that is left reporting new cases of polio during this year. Afghanistan has reported 13 cases this year compared to 18 cases last year, and Pakistan has reported 39 cases this year compared to 235 last year. These countries both have presented many challenges for Rotary as they make the final steps in their journey to eradicate this terrible disease. Harry also told of his trip with Rotary to India where he was able to assist with polio vaccinations. The trip was rewarding in many ways, and even though India has reported no new cases of polio; he was able to see firsthand the crippling effects of the disease. India is a very poor country, with poor living standards based on American standards. The environment most people live in includes poor sanitation conditions. The club also learned that the method Rotary uses in many countries to vaccinate has been so successful that it is patterned to vaccinate for other diseases. Harry spoke as a guest of Stryker Rotary Member Terry Wieland. Harry, on the left is pictured with Stryker Rotary Member Terry Wieland.
