World Polio Day is annually held on the 24th of October to commemorate all efforts that the world has made in the fight against one of the most formidable diseases in history-polio, or poliomyelitis. This day reminds everyone of the immense achievements of progress and even how much is being worked upon for this generation so that no child ever suffers from this lethal disease again.

On World Polio Day, Protect Every Child’s Future with the Power of Polio Drops.

As SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre works on the advancements of health sciences, it is to reflect on achievements but on the active role our students, faculty, and healthcare community play in global health initiatives.

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre – Kattankulathur

The Victory of Public Health: Eradication of Polio in India

It has successfully ended polio, a great public health success story. Once the most challenging in the world for polio eradication, India was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization in 2014. This successful outcome was due to good coordination between the Indian government, healthcare providers, international organizations, and the active participation of the public.

The key policies that have driven the process of eradication include:

– Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) Campaign: This campaign was initiated in 1995 and gave free polio vaccines to children below the age of 5. The target was to immunize each child in every nook and corner of the country, even if the area is the remotest.

– Intensive Surveillance: The installed rigorous surveillance system easily facilitated the quick detection of polio cases and fast response to outbreaks by automatically, consequently ensuring rapid disease control.

These included health communication initiatives, such as public health campaigns, as well as creating awareness through door-to-door programs and through mass media to make the population aware of vaccination in a harmless manner while crushing myths, especially among the underprivileged sections of society. Influencers at local levels, religious leaders, and celebrities were used to mobilize the grassroots public.

Health communication has become a vital element in the fight against polio. In India, for instance, government agencies and health organizations make use of the mass media in forms such as television, radio, and posters to address various communities. As was the case with community-based strategies, mass media enabled the message of the need to immunize children against polio to be delivered to every household.

Such strategies can be invaluable in teaching students and at the same time make them realize how communication is fundamental in their proposals for health initiatives implementation. In today’s digital world, communication is a key factor that can shape the way healthcare will be approached to win public health battles.

Polio eradication marks a major victory in global health, ensuring no child suffers from this preventable disease.

Harnessing the Power of Youth: Students’ Involvement in Health Campaigns

The current group of students in the health profession can take a very active role in public health initiatives. Our college currently arranges student volunteer participation in vaccination drives, community health awareness programs, and immunization campaigns, all similar to during the time of polio eradication. Outreach programs and public education will help students fill this gap between healthcare providers and the people.

Active student involvement fosters an increase in awareness about vaccines and builds community confidence in healthcare interventions, offering hands-on experience to the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Superior Infrastructure for the Vaccine Trials: Innovative Leadership

State-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities have been created at the SRM Center for Clinical Trials & Research to support vaccines. Equipped with advanced laboratories, advanced technology, and a focus on clinical research, we can contribute significantly to vaccine trials for polio and emerging infectious diseases.

We have High-tech Research Laboratories: They are better equipped to carry out research, analyze samples, and test new vaccines.

– Clinical trial facilities: The facilities are conducted to practice ethically sound and scientifically valid vaccine trials to ensure safety and efficacy.

– Cooperation networks: We collaborate with government health departments, international health agencies, and pharmaceutical industries to ensure our studies are useful in the greater global health space.

Compliance with Global Health

World Polio Day reminds one of the tremendous power of collaboration, innovation, and commitment towards wiping out diseases. Celebrating India’s victory over polio, SRMIST remains committed to the task of creating a new generation of healthcare professionals who shall take this forward into the future. In this regard, education, research, and community involvement form a vital step ahead toward a healthier, polio-free world.

On World Polio Day, the spirit that has been maintained will be followed by having a grip on information, participation, and support of vaccination globally. Together we can have a long-lasting impact on public health, ensuring that polio is a disease of the past.