#WorldPolioDay

It was the month of October in 2010, when I landed in Patna to start a new #job. I was not at all excited, for #Bihar was actually a nightmare in those days and my previous employer, who was the secy Health of a State had asked me to #ComeBackSoon!

@ashishdoc1

Little did I know that, it will change my life forever. As I am having ample time now to search through the historypics from my old albums, let me take you through our journey for a #PolioFreeWorld from a State better known for other things rather than #development

@parija_d

In my initial days, I used to find Polio positive children in each tola and villages. The State was so much affected that public health experts were of the view that India will never become #PolioFree ever, because of UP-Bihar!

@devendra1410

But,
Nobody knew, nothing is impossible for we Indians!
What we see today is because of consistent effort of Government, nonGovernment and International Organizations' partnership and collaboration those led to the results.

And, never forget the community @dr_santoshsahoo

Dr. Narendra was the MOIc of a PHC in the district. He never missed any Pulse Polio monitoring activities. #BaandhKeAndaar (inside Koshi River embankment) was the real challenge, still it was him who had made his team of doctors and Health Workers to deliver with precision.

Bridge over river Koshi was a dream which came true, but by that time my days in Bihar were about to be over. Delivering large amount of Polio vaccine and that too in Cold Chain was really challenging. Thanks to the volunteers from the community. #WorldPolioDay

Ramchandra Sada
He was a Supervisor of Pulse Polio Teams, quite dedicated, punctual and sincere.

I never did find him late in either vaccine distribution in the early morning or in the evening meeting in satellite office. #UnseenHeroes of #PolioEradication

#WorldPolioDay

Pappu, the boatwala

Send him a message that "I need the boat tomorrow 3.00 AM",
He will be there at the ghat with one of his assistants (to drain sipping water from boat). Majority of the time they used to be his bhatijas.

#WorldPolioDay

#UnseenHeroes of #PolioEradication

External Monitors

We used to hire them during Pulse Polio activities and they were our eyes and ears in the fields together with our Field Volunteers(FM)

Chandrakishore and Omprakash are in the picture.

#WorldPolioDay #UnseenHeroes

Project Drivers

We owe them the most, for they were our lifelines. My day used to start at 3.00AM in the morning to 12 midnight and their's used to be 1 hr more on either side. The person in picture is Manoj, my driver

#WorldPolioDay
#UnseenHeroes of #PolioEradication

Strengthening Routine Immunization in a State with serious HR crunch was challenging too.
Meet Bibha didi and her husband, who used to conduct sessions on river embankments, chabutaras or even under a tree.
#WorldPolioDay
#UnseenHeroes of #PolioEradication

Atlast,
Who is me?

Another #UnseenHero of #PolioEradication.

Salute to the people who worked earlier or now working with the project for this global public health initiative. @WHOSEARO
@WHO
#WorldPolioDay

Thanks for reading.
End of thread.