CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: On the occasion of Polio Day, various healthcare institutions in Bhopal district organized polio awareness programs on Thursday. Information was shared about efforts and strategies for polio eradication. This day is celebrated annually to raise awareness and support in the fight against polio. It coincides with the birthday of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop the IPV vaccine against poliomyelitis. The widely used oral polio vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin, which played a significant role in the success of polio eradication.

Polio is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects young children. It can attack the nervous system, damaging the spinal cord, and may cause paralysis. In some cases, it can even lead to death.

On Polio Day, healthcare institutions in the district highlighted the contributions and efforts of government departments, Rotary International, various NGOs, media, and celebrities in the fight against polio. Newborns were given the zero-dose vaccine in hospitals, and information on the vaccination schedule, the importance of vaccines, and MCP cards was provided to mothers and family members. Under the National Pulse Polio Campaign, launched in 1995, polio has been completely eradicated from India. On March 27, 2014, India and other Southeast Asian countries were declared polio-free.

Vaccination played the most crucial role in the victory over polio. For prevention, a two-drop dose is given in the regular immunization program, along with a 0.1 ml intramuscular dose of fIPV. The last case of the polio virus in India was detected on January 13, 2011, in Howrah, West Bengal, while no new cases have been reported in Madhya Pradesh since 2008. The last case in Bhopal was recorded in July 2003.

Bhopal’s Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari, stated that the hard work of the government, healthcare workers, and NGOs made polio eradication possible. To maintain this success, it is essential to eradicate the disease globally. Although India is polio-free, recent cases have been reported in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. To ensure protection, polio vaccination campaigns are regularly organized in India, targeting every child under the age of five.

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