Building a Healthier World: India’s Triumph Over Polio

Building a Healthier World: India’s Triumph Over Polio NAME: Rajwala Garg  Polio, or poliomyelitis, was once one of the world’s most feared diseases. It mainly affected children under five, causing paralysis and even death. It spread through contaminated water and food, with poor sanitation and hygiene making it worse. For decades, India struggled with thousands of polio cases every year. But hope came with science and determination. The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) was introduced in the 1980s and made mass immunization possible. In 1995, India launched the Pulse Polio Immunization Program, which mobilized health workers and volunteers to deliver vaccines to every child under five—even in the most remote villages. The campaign used colorful posters, jingles, and community leaders to spread awareness. Finally, in 2014, India was declared Polio-free by the World Health Organization. This was a proud moment for the nation and an example of how determination, science, and public cooperatio...