Mary Robinson says the little-known Gavi Alliance has significantly increased immunisation rates in the world's poorest countries, writes ALISON HEALY
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.
The partnership also involves the financial community, vaccine manufacturers, research institutions and bodies such as the World Bank.
“When you go out into the field, and see the difference and see mothers proudly bringing their children for the vaccines and knowing this is part of a whole structure of better health . . . it’s all worth it,” she said.
In its first decade, the alliance’s work resulted in the immunisation of 288 million children against illnesses such as diphtheria, whooping cough and hepatitis B.
It’s a success story that’s a well-kept secret, she said, adding that the alliance would make huge strides if it got the necessary funding to distribute the new pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines. They protect against the two great killers of children – pneumonia and diarrhoea.
“If we can roll those out in the next five years, we will prevent four million deaths of children and, for me, that’s about the biggest human rights work you could do.”
Getting these vaccines to the children who need them will cost €3.7 billion over five years. “But the case is so strong, even in these difficult times.”
Mrs Robinson may be stepping down as chairwoman of Gavi this month, but that does not signal an intention to slip quietly into retirement.
The 66 year old is returning to Ireland to run her newest project – the Dublin-based Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice. She said the foundation would be a continuation of the human rights work she had been doing in the New York-based Realising Rights, the Ethical Globalisation Initiative, which is coming to its planned end this month.
Mrs Robinson said climate change in the poorest parts of the world was undermining the work of subsistence farmers, food security, health and nutrition.
“And it’s our lifestyles that are causing these climate change impacts. I know that Ireland has been suffering from unusually heavy snow and it’s hard to talk about global warming, but if you read the signs, it is happening . . . and it is a big human rights issue.”
She said Ireland could play a leadership role in climate change and Irish research on climate change was “really very impressive”.
Mrs Robinson brushed aside questions about plans to slow down. “Not while my health is good. I really feel very strongly, and I feel it’s necessary to be pro-active because the issues are compelling.”
She said, however, that she hoped her return home would cut down on travel, not least for environmental reasons. She spoke to The Irish Times from New York but had been in London the day before and was on the way to Cancun the following day. She will return to Dublin later this week to award honorary degrees as chancellor of Trinity College Dublin.
Her inauguration as Ireland’s first female president 20 years ago last week seems a long time ago now, but she still regards it as the greatest honour anyone could have.
“The third of December is always a very special day in my mind,” she said. She has not lived permanently in Ireland since she left the presidency to become UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 1997.
“I am actually delighted to be coming back to Ireland, particularly at this very difficult time,” she said, but would not be drawn on her views of the economic crisis. She said she was particularly looking forward to seeing more of her family. She has three children and four grandchildren, under seven, who live in Dublin and Barcelona.
“It’s very exciting to be near the grandchildren,” she said. “We’ll all be home for Christmas.”