Funding pressures will not halt the fight against polio, says Rotary President‑Elect Babalola.

Ayodeji Ake

Rotary International President‑elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola reaffirmed the organization’s pledge to eliminate polio, stating that worldwide financial pressures on health programs would not hinder the drive to eradicate the disease.

In a speech to fellow Rotarians before officially taking office, Babalola affirmed that Rotary would stay committed to its long‑standing polio campaign until the disease is fully eliminated.

“We must keep our most important commitment: We will eradicate polio,” he said.

Babalola highlighted advances in challenging settings, citing Afghanistan where health workers use needle‑free jet injectors to vaccinate children in communities that had previously resisted immunization efforts.

“In Afghanistan, medical workers are now using needle‑free jet injectors to vaccinate children in communities where fear and distrust once kept families away, and it is working. Innovation is helping us reach the unreachable,” he said.

Nevertheless, Babalola cautioned against complacency, noting that global funding for health initiatives is under growing pressure.

“But we cannot rest now. Funding is under pressure globally. This is precisely the moment Rotary must hold firm. Every child protected is one step closer to a promise kept to every family in the world that will never have to know this disease,” he stated.

He added that Rotary’s purpose goes beyond executing projects and interventions; the organization aims to generate lasting