Malta’s bid to eradicate polio recognised in New York

The part which Malta is playing in helping to eradicate polio has been recognised by the Global Citizen in New York.

Global Citizen is an ogranisation that works in partnership and supports some of the most effective organisations taking action to end poverty and improving the planet.

During last year’s Global Citizen Festival, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat – along with Luxembourg’s prime minister Xavier Battel – spoke on the fight against polio and has since championed the cause.

In November during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, Muscat brought together the secretary general of the United Nations along with the prime ministers of Australia and Pakistan to speak of the need to give the fight a final push.

Polio, which can cause lifelong paralysis, can be prevented with a vaccine that costs only $0.50. In the 1980s, polio paralyzed at least 1,000 children every day all over the world. After international efforts to immunize every child everywhere, five million people are walking who would otherwise have been paralyzed.

Today, thanks to the global effort for polio eradication, all but just two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan – have eliminated polio within their borders.

During the ceremony last night, Muscat reiterated Malta’s commitment in fighting polio and will be using its position as Commonwealth chair to keep the momentum.

Global Citizen has now embarked on a new initiative – Level the Law – aimed at promoting gender equality worldwide. Malta was praised for its continued efforts to fight inequality and discrimination.