On 19th of January 2014, we, students of USMKLE are given opportunity to take part and observe the Pulse Polio Immunization program which is held at the central bus stand, Belgaum, India.
Do you know that India is already being Polio free for 3 years?
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| From Left: Me, Juraimy, Fariza & Che Mas! ^-^ At Pulse Polio Vaccination Booth. |
Pulse Polio is an immunization campaign programme established by the government of India to eradicate Poliomyelitis by vaccinating every children under 5 year old.
A little info about Poliomyelitis:
Poliomyelitis literally means the inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord. It is caused by a virus called Poliovirus, which is a type of Picornavirus, is one of the simplest and smallest virus.
Poliovirus is transmitted from person to person via oral-fecal route. Although Poliovirus commonly destroys the lower motor neurons of the spinal cord causing asymmetric weakness or paralysis, the severe attack of Poliovirus can damage into the extend of brainstem or even the higher structure causes polio-encephalitis, which produce apnea which required iron lung for mechanical assistance in breathing.
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| A polio epidemic in New York, USA, Iron Lung used for mechanical assistance in breathing. |
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| Poliomyelitis, rarely fatal but brings a life long sequelle ~asymmetrical paralysis. |
A little History:
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| This Egyptian stele (an upright stone carving) dating from 1403-1365 BC shows a priest with a walking stick and foot deformities characteristic of polio. This means Polio has existed & being recorded even during the time of Ancient Egypt. |
Well, Back to our little adventure...
After ice-breaking and briefing by the public health officers and the medical personnel who're in charge, we're given a bottle of Polio vaccine and a marker pen, and off we go for search of children below 5 year old to vaccinate them.
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| Polio vaccine with vaccine vail monitor are used. If the colour of the white square box change to same or darker colour with the circling blue, it means the vaccine contained in the vail is damaged(eg: by heat) and should be discarded. ~A very good way to monitor the efficacy of the vaccine. |
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| Che Mas is giving vaccine dose to a child, Oral Polio Vaccine(OPV) |
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| The child's left little finger is then marked with permanent purple-blue marker to prevent overlap/second time vaccination by other group. |
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| Fariza persuading the kid... "Do you want to know how it taste? Chocolate maybe?" Fact: it tasted a bit bitter... |
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| During: When the negotiation fail... |
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| After: A child that will be free from Polio & the happy mother knowing that fact. |
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| We wont let go even a child in Auto. |
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| Juraimy in action |
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| Juraimy: "Guys, fast, I spotted another baby!!" |
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| We spotted another child in the bus... Serbu serbu!! |
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| A picture of me giving the vaccine |
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| A child who cried very loudly and resolved almost immediately after the vaccine was give. "Chota didi, cuchumadu illa!Novu illa.." ~Little girl, no injection... no worries.. |
God willing, India will be Polio free for 2014 and FOREVER!
~Felt proud to be a part of the polio eradication movement ^-^ ~
