Disease Prevention

BACKGROUND

India remains as one of the most important polio endemic countries on the global polio eradication map. There were 676 cases of polio in India in 2006, out of which 546 were in Utter Pradesh (UP). After a steady decline in the number of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases, 2006 suddenly saw an endemic growth in number of cases.

The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) efforts worldwide began with the commitment from the US Congress in early nineties. The WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and CORE group partners are major players in this effort. In the early years PCI worked in both Bihar and UP, but later focused on three high endemic districts of UP. Currently, PCI works in 17 blocks of three districts with a work force of 340 at various levels. PCI works with local NGO partners as it strongly believes in capacity building at local level.

2006	2007

OBJECTIVES

• To develop coordinated Private Voluntary Organization support to the India polio programs

• To support all four polio strategies: Supplementary immunization activities, routine immunization, AFP surveillance and assistance to polio affected children.

• Effective implementation of the PEI program in light of the local needs and challenges

STRATEGIES

One of PCI/India’s strengths as a PEI partner has been its ability to work with and empower local NGOs/CBOs and communities. Through strong networks of partner NGO’s social mobilizers at various levels, PCI/India reaches out to the most resistant, vulnerable and minority communities that pose persistent challenges to the polio vaccination drives. The major strategies include social mobilization with locally appropriate approaches such as interpersonal communication, coordination with local authorities, awareness and sensitization campaigns and most importantly, complimenting the National Immunization Day/Sub-national Immunization Day (NID/SNID) as per its mandate and principles of partnership.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

The major activities under PEI include:

• Social mobilization campaigns before, during, and after the NID/SNID

• Identification of resistant and remaining houses and persistent interpersonal communication to vaccinate children

• Coordination and active participation in the task force planning and implementation meetings at various levels, such as District Task Force meetings, Tahsil Task Force meetings, etc.

• Repetitive capacity building and refresher trainings for partners

• Strong monitoring and evaluation systems in place to make the program more efficient

·    Supplementing the PEI with add-on activities on sanitation, access to safe water, child survival, routine immunization, etc.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

• No cases of AFP in the PCI/India districts in 2006

• The PCI team was invited by other partners for support while a team of vaccinators carried out house to house activitY


 Disease Prevention Factsheet