Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong today celebrated World Polio Day. This year’s theme for the celebration is “Delivering on a Promise” which signifies the declaration adopted in 1988 at the 41st Health Assembly to eradicate polio.
Dr. Judita Syiemlieh, President 2018-19, Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong said that Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system. Each country was affected by Poliomyelitis before Vaccination. Since it affects the Central Nervous System, many victims become paralysed, disabled physically, mentally with varying degrees.
“To combat polio scientists started researching and manufacturing Polio Vaccine as early as 1930’s with some success. It was in 1961 that a Sabin Vaccine was successfully tested and manufactured. It was an oral Polio vaccine, which is being used currently. There is no treatment for polio disease except to alleviate pain and suffering. Prevention is the key and Polio drop is the answer,” Dr. Syiemlieh said.
She also informed that Rotary launched Polio Plus in 1985 and was a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
“Through decades of commitment and work by Rotary and its partners, billions of children have received the oral polio vaccine, thereby preventing them from getting polio disease,” Dr. Syiemlieh informed.
According to her, India was declared ‘polio Free’ in 2016 and Pulse Polio Drops Immunisation is being carried out in January every year to prevent fresh cases from coming up. She also said that 2026 is the year targeted to be declared the world as ‘Polio Free World’
