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Gates Aims $100M at Polio

Foundation aims to eradicate disease

By Marcia Greenwood, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 27, 2007 4:30 AM CST

(Newser) – The world stands at the brink of eradicating polio, Bill Gates says, and his foundation yesterday awarded $100 million toward that end. One of the foundation's largest challenge grants will fund programs in four countries where the disease is still epidemic, notably Nigeria. The Rotary Foundation received the grant and will match it over the next 3 years, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Health professionals are split on whether eradicating polio is possible, and some have advocated putting resources toward containing it. But WHO's director-general called the grant "precisely the catalyst we need to finish polio. We have the technical tools to do it." Most of the initial $100 million will be spent on immunization campaigns and community education.

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Bill and Melinda Gates hope that their $100 million challenge grant will wipe out polio in four countries where it persists, including Nigeria. (Associated Press)

Microsoft founder and multibillionaire Bill Gates is driven by a desire to eradicate disease worldwide, according to Britain's "Guardian." (Associated Press)

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Bill Gates talks about the goals of the foundation he started with his wife, Melinda. (MLBinwa (YouTube))

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Gates Aims $100M at Polio