KOTA KINABALU: The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, together with eight other Rotary Clubs across Kota Kinabalu, successfully launched the “Walk to End Polio 2025” awareness campaign at Anjung Selera, Tanjung Lipat, Likas, here today.
A total of 110 participants representing nine Rotary Clubs — namely RC KK Pearl, RC Likas Bay, RC Kota Kinabalu, RC Tanjung Aru, RC South, RC Sutera, RC Luyang, RC Penampang and RC Mandarin — along with members of the Inner Wheel Club, joined forces in a symbolic walk aimed at raising awareness on the global fight to eradicate polio.
The impactful campaign is part of Rotary International’s worldwide “End Polio Now” initiative, which seeks to eradicate polio, a highly contagious viral disease that can cause paralysis and death. The campaign focuses on raising public awareness of the disease, advocating for sustained vaccination efforts, and securing funding to ensure that polio is eliminated once and for all.
“This is more than just a walk, it’s a commitment,” said Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, President of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl.
“Every step we take today represents hope for a child to grow up healthy and polio-free. We are proud to lead this initiative in Sabah and to stand in solidarity with our global Rotary family. Polio is preventable, and together, we can end it once and for all.”
She said the initiative, carried out under the leadership of Rotary District Governor Dr. Shahul Hameed, is a testament to the collective spirit of Rotary.
“This initiative under our District Governor’s leadership reminds us that Rotary’s strength lies in consistent, collective action. From Sabah to Singapore to Sarawak to Johor to Melaka to Brunei, we are walking with purpose for a polio-free world.”
The campaign forms part of a wider program under Rotary District 3310, whereby each week, a different Rotary Club organises a “Walk to End Polio” event.
These walks bring together Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, families and friends in solidarity and support for the cause.
In Sabah, Rotary clubs have pledged to hold the walk on the fourth week of each month, signalling strong regional commitment to the campaign’s objectives of sustained awareness and action against polio.
Rotary has been leading efforts to eradicate polio for over 35 years. During that time, the organisation has helped reduce global polio cases by more than 99.9%.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotary has mobilised billions of dollars, tens of thousands of volunteers worldwide and garnered policy support to eliminate the disease.
However, the final push remains critical — stopping the transmission of the virus in the two remaining endemic countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rotary continues to lead this global call to action through advocacy, funding, volunteerism and strategic partnerships to ensure that no child anywhere suffers from polio ever again.
The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl is a dynamic, all-women club dedicated to “Service Above Self.” As part of Rotary International, the club supports meaningful initiatives in health, education, the environment and community development, both locally and globally.
