Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, which spreads primarily through contaminated water and food. It can lead to paralysis and even death in severe cases. In India, National Polio Day is observed annually on October 24th to raise awareness about polio, its prevention, and the efforts being made to eradicate the disease.
The day aligns with World Polio Day, initiated by Rotary International to commemorate the development of the first effective polio vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk in 1955. Rotary, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, has been a leader in the global campaign to eradicate polio.
Global Centre for Youth Development (GCYD)and Global Centre for Public Health Care and Management (GCPHCM)under Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development has organized a National Webinar on the occasion of World Polio Day, i.e. on 24th of October, 2024 in collaboration with the Microbiologists Society, India.
The webinarwas organized under the guidance of the Chief Patron, Dr. Jayanta Choudhury who is the Founder and Secretary General of GFSRD, with the blessings of the Joint Patron, Professor (Dr.) Arvind M. Deshmukh, Founder and President of Microbiologists Society, India and the GFSRD Chairman of Jharkhand Chapter, Dr. Ajay Kumar Srivastava, the All India Executive Convenor of Microbiologists Society, India.
Countries run mass immunization campaigns, particularly targeting young children who are most vulnerable to the disease.There are two types of vaccines – oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent polio. Both have been instrumental in reducing the number of polio cases globally.Because of vaccination efforts, 99% of the world is now polio-free. However, polio remains endemic in only two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In this event, Saratsuvra Pyne, the Deputy Director of GFSRD – Global Centre for Youth Development has been the Organizing Chairman, Ruchika Gupta, the Assistant Director of GFSRD – Global Centre for Youth Development has been the Organizing Secretary, Nitika Samanta, the Creative Director of GFSRD – Global Centre for Youth Development as the Assistant Organizing Secretary and Prachi, Riya, Akasmika, Kanvi have been the Members of the Organizing Committee.
Resource Persons from two different states of India came to share their views on different aspects of polio.
Souvik Roy, an Assistant Professor at the Post Graduate and Research Department of Biotechnology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, West Bengal shared his views on the topic – “Polio Myelitis- A Dreaded Disease!”.
Dr. Nagoba B.S., an Assistant Dean and a Professor of Microbiology at Maharashtra Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Latur, Maharashtra explained to us about Polio Vaccines.
Participants gave feedback at the end that the webinar was very informative. Basics of polio vaccines, IPV, OPD were thoroughly discussed. They thank the Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development and Microbiologists Society, India’s Joint Organizing Committee for providing us a platform to discuss such topics on a national level and expected to be part of more such seminars and webinars.
India was once considered the disease’s epicentre but was declared polio-free in 2014, marking a significant milestone in global health. The observance of National Polio Day highlights the importance of maintaining strong immunization programs to keep the disease at bay and raise public awareness about the ongoing efforts to fully eradicate polio.
