HEALTH CAMPS
India is a huge country…over 1.2 billion population belonging to diverse groups and demographics. Service delivery particularly that of the public/govt. entities is weak and often delayed. Amidst this comes a public health programme, the Polio campaign that endevours to reach almost all the children with a service at their doorstep.
This often becomes a problem… say example, the child or a family member is suffering bouts of diarrhea or fever and no medical support is available from the Govt. but a health worker knocks his door every month for polio-drops. This contradiction often leads to confrontation or contempt that challenges the polio eradication effort. To address these challenges and concerns free-health Camps to meet the other health-care needs of the people were introduced.
Rotary conducted the health camps in the underserved regions and communities. There have been times in the campaign when people have resisted immunization or boycotted polio-drops for their children arguing about the dismal health and civic services in their areas.
Several health camps in the high-risk districts – particularly in U.P and Bihar – have resulted in building good-will for the Polio campaign.
Rotary’s presence on the ground, interacting with families, giving a patient ear to their concerns and personal reassurance resulted in calming boycotts, and converting resistance into acceptance. It not only helped dispel the cloud of apprehension amongst population but created a favourable environment for Polio immunization paving way for greater acceptance of the polio vaccine and eliminating resistance in underserved-population.
In 2011 after the last case was reported in West Bengal, on an average 3 camps per month were being organized in high-risk districts of West Bengal. The similar health camps are being organized on regular basis in U.P., Bihar, Maharashtra and in other high risk areas.
In the wake of increased immunization activities to contain the virus it was feared people might question the frequent rounds whereas other care needs remained unaddressed.
The free medial camps helped sustain the activity with people benefiting from medical services and ensured good will and acceptance for the vaccine in the community.
Another important intervention has been Polio Corrective Surgery and Rehabilitation Camps (PCS) introduced in 2001 through matching grants.Polio Corrective Surgeries for polio victims have resulted in a lot many Polio victims get back on feet albeit with support or little limp.
Polio disease causes irreversible paralysis of limbs and cannot be cured. However the extent of deformity of the limbs can be corrected through medical intervention and physiotherapy – to some extent
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Rotary through camps at different locations have performed surgeries benefiting on more than 6000 polio victims. While many of those complicated case encountered at the camps are recommended for surgeries at city hospitals with surgery costs borne by Rotary.
Physiotherapy for those needed is also part of this rehabilitation programme. Further, Rotary Clubs through sponsorship and support provide education, vocational skills, and small business set-ups to Polio victims to enable them to earn a living.
These interventions along with intensified immunization activities helped scale the bar and reduced the incidence of Polio in the high-risk districts/communities. In future too, as per the need and observation, medical camps, polio corrective surgeries will be undertaken
The most determinative sentence which we always follow in our “ END POLIO NOW” campaign is “ The race is not over because we have not won yet” And our determination is the firm decision to carry on the fight against Polio till the victory is achieved.