Polio still haunts India, needs the last push

With fresh cases of polio being reported in the country, the government has come in sharp criticism from doctors and experts for the methodology used to eradicate the disease saying that the 'vaccination drive did not cover cent per cent population'.

"Lack of hundred per cent vaccine coverage and the regular doses are the main reasons for failure of the eradication program," says Amrit Kalsi, Senior Medical Officer, Delhi Government.

Despite an expenditure running into crores and a time lag of 12 long years of Anti polio drive, of the total of 1,389 cases reported worldwide in 2007, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative data compiled by WHO says that 864 occurred in India making it the biggest in the world.

Health Minister, Anbumani Ramadoss had recently said that the country's polio program failed to achieve its purpose and the government has decided to review the polio drive.

Doctors in field point out that another reason which is working against the drive which had hoped to eradicate polio by 2007 (the initial target was 2000) is the fear among certain communities who feel that polio vaccines would make them impotent.

"There are some communities who are quite apprehensive of the polio vaccination and feel that polio drops are part of a conspiracy to sterilise their children, and are refusing to let them be vaccinated," says a senior medical officer associated with the drive.

He adds, "Even health workers, who do vaccination many times may show false data to make sure that their job is safe.

Sanjay Sarup, Paediatrics and Orthopedic Surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, feels that the methodology followed needs to be revamped

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