08 Dec Five million lives saved
FORMER PRESIDENT of Ireland Mary Robinson is well known for her work as a human rights advocate, but she singles out a little-known health partnership as one of the biggest success stories she’s been involved with.
The Gavi Alliance (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) has been increasing access to immunisation in the world’s poorest countries for the past decade and has saved the lives of more than five million children, according to the World Health Organisation.
Mrs Robinson is now nearing the end of her two-year term as chairwoman of the alliance’s board. And while it may not be well known to most people, the Gavi Alliance has an impressive range of supporters. Bill and Melinda Gates’ charitable foundation was a founding partner in 2000 and they have continued to support it, as have donor governments, including our own, through Irish Aid.