Angeli Abrol Duggal, Rotary Club of Clifton-Emory (RCCE) and CDC Deputy Chief; Dr. Zubair Wadood, Medical Officer, WHO Geneva; Past District Governor Claudia Mertl; Dr. Hemant Shukla, Medical Officer, WHO EMRO.

In honor of World Polio Day, the Rotary Clubs of Atlanta Southern Cresent/Clifton Emory held a dinner at Chai Pani in honor of polio champions who have dedicated their lives to eradicating polio as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The Club was humbled and honored to be in the presence of several global polio champions who were in town for high level strategy meetings, including Dr. Hemant Shukla and Dr. Mufti Zubair Wadood. They shared their experiences on the frontlines of polio eradication in the most remote parts of the world and the immense efforts and dedication that polio workers share globally towards a polio-free world.

Dr. Hemant Shukla has dedicated over 20 years to eradicating polio, working tirelessly in challenging parts of the world, including India, Kenya, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Currently posted in WHO EMRO, he is leading the region's efforts in polio eradication. Starting his career in Pakistan over 20 years ago, Dr. Mufti Zubair Wadood's dedication to polio eradication has taken him to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Based at WHO EMRO, he spent a number of years leading the countries' efforts. Currently based at WHO Geneva, he leads efforts in surveillance and polio case detection and emergency response.

Drs. Shukla and Wadood have been noted speakers at a number of Rotary meetings and recognize Rotary as a key partner in eradicating polio. During the 2018 RCCE Polio Symposium, Atlanta, they video-conferenced from Kabul, Afghanistan to share the frontline perspectives on the most recent polio efforts, accomplishments and challenges. To honor them for their participation, Angeli Abrol Duggal presented them with Rotary Certificates of Appreciation and recognized them their tireless efforts in serving on the frontlines of polio eradication. ASC is making a contribution in their name to the Polio Fund. Roger Wise presented each of them with a pin from the Governor’s office in recognition of their contributions to polio eradication initiative.

Drs. Wadood and Shukla expressed their gratitude to Rotary and Rotarians worldwide for their unwavering support for polio and believing that we, together, can indeed achieve a polio-free world.