Date:01/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/01/stories/2005080104700500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

23 cases of polio reported in India this year

By Divya Ramamurthi

Rotary International Director says India can report zero incidence by next year

Southern States have not reported incidences of polio
Six countries report cases of polio this year

Rotary International invested $ 560 million in scheme to eradicate polio

BANGALORE: India is well on its way to reporting zero incidence of polio, said Noraseth Pathmanand, Director 2005-07 of Rotary International.

So far, 23 cases of polio have been reported in India this year with the majority of cases in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar and New Delhi. None of the south Indian States have reported any incidences of polio so far this year .

"The way India is progressing, it should be able to report zero incidences by early next year," Mr. Pathmanand told The Hindu . The World Health Organisation hopes to certify the world polio-free by 2008.

Six countries, most of them in Asia, have reported cases of polio this year. They include India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Egypt and Niger. "We hope India will be able to lead the other countries in eliminating polio. It should not rest until it accomplishes it," he said.

Rotary International is involved in the polio programme since 1985. It works in coordination with officials from the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Centre for Disease Control and the Ministries of Health of polio endemic countries worldwide. The organisation globally has invested $ 560 million in the programme and in India it has invested over $ 61 million.

Mr. Pathmanand said rapid success in bringing down the incidences of polio had been achieved through a global campaign to immunise every child with the oral polio vaccine. Over the last 15 years, the polio vaccine has been delivered to children in endemic countries through mass immunisation campaigns, known as National Immunization Days (NIDs) and sometimes through sub-National Immunisation Days.

"Thousands of our volunteers go to every corner of the city during the immunisation days, carrying the polio vaccine in a plastic or styrofoam `cold box.' Our mission to make sure that polio is eliminated. It is our number one priority," he said.