Did you read April issue of The Rotarian?

Lest you missed the April issue of 'The Rotarian', here is the direct link to shuffle through the pages of 'The Rotarian' that celebrates the noble initiative of the Indian ortho-surgeons, anesthesiologists and volunteers, who touched the lives of numerous children in Nigeria.

Polio remains a challenge in Nigeria

It is tragic to hear about the loss of nine female polio vaccinators at a health centre in Kano in northern Nigeria.  Unfortunately, the people continue to hold misplaced notion about polio vaccination causing infertility, whereas many of the parents of polio-afflicted children have realised their folly of not saving their children from this crippling disease. 

We pray for peace of the departed soul and hope that better sense will prevail, and people of Nigeria would come forward to protect the lives of their children.  

More on BBC.

Indian heroes will always be remembered

The remarkable feat of the Indian team of doctors has had a multiplier effect. The word is spreading and the lives of 353 children that they have changed would continue to be remembered by many of the Rotarians around the world.  For us, it was a life-time of a memorable experience. Many doctors are just looking at the next opportunity to be a part of similar missions.  And for the children, who would now be able to walk, it would be an unforgettable gift that these children living thousands of miles away from India, who would cherish it throughout their life time. For these children, these unknown angels came, wielded their magic wand, and made them ready to stand up on their own legs.  Though braces and crutches would be required to help them support themselves because of the lifeless legs, they would be able to see much farther now...from having the world view from the crawling position, to now a position that makes them stand erect...with confidence and with dignity.

You will find another mention in another volunteer from USA who was in Abuja for the NID, and observed the work of Indian doctors, and makes a special mention in his blog on 'Rotary Voices'. Click here to read. 

More News on Mission Nigeria

Rtn. T.K. Balakrishnan, Editor of Rotary News and Rotary Samachar has done an excellent job of compiling a comprehensive report on India-Nigeria Rotary Polio Surgeries Mission and racing against the time, accommodated the story with photographs to share with the Rotary world.  Looking at the response and feedback that I received from the Rotarians, this was the greatest reward especially for our Rotarian doctors, the heroes of this medicare mission.

We reproduce below the excerpts from the 'Rotary Samachar', for your record and reading pleasure.

In the meanwhile the Rotary International's India National PolioPlus Society has in its December issue of 'PolioPlus Update' has also carried this story.

Transforming Lives

Rotary Voices carries the impressions of Jerry Casey, husband of Rotarian Patrice Putnam of Maine, USA, who was a part of a team taking part in National Immunization Days in Nigeria in December makes a mention about the achievements of Indian doctors and shares his impressions of how Rotary is transforming lives.  Read more

'Rotary News' on Mission Nigeria

The January issue of 'Rotary News' carries a comprehensive report on the India-Nigeria Rotary Polio Surgeries Mission.  Click on the link below to read or copy it in your browser. 

Nigeria gets on to Rotary Showcase

The heroes get featured on Rotary Showcase. 
Check this out.

“Mom, get me new shoes, now that I can walk”

As I ambled through the receovery ward of Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, where one of the two teams of India-Nigeria Rotary Polio Surgeries Mission, were operating, I heard a feeble voice of a song. Six years old Mariam Jibrin from Jigawa state, had just come out of the impact of anesthesia after the polio corrective surgery, and was singing a song in local Nigerian dialect... Read the full story  on eFlash Rotary More about India-Nigeria Rotary Polio Surgeries Mission Global Polio Eradication Initiative . 11 December 2012 Making it better Rotary International news . 13 December 2012 Indian Rotarians perform corrective surgeries in Nigeria Rotary Voices . 13 December 2012 Medical Mission delivers hope to Nigerian polio victims Rotary Voices . 21 December 2012 Polio surgery project extends service beyond borders

Indian Heroes Get World Media Attention

The accomplishments of Indian team of doctors on the India-Nigeria Rotary Polio Surgeries Mission has received tremendous media attention in India, Nigeria and world-wide.  

Nigerian National Television Authority had been regularly airing the progress of the Indian team of doctors as they operated upon polio-stricken children.  The print media continued to update their readers about the progress of the mission.

The impact of this work is tremendous in two counts; one, that the lives of 353 children have been changed drastically.  For they would at least be able to stand up with pride though with the help of calipers.  And two, the parents of these children have become the brand ambassadors for all those polio-endemic states in Nigeria where polio vaccine has been resisted, to persuade other families to keep their children protected against wild polio virus through immunisation.

I am giving below some of the significant online reporting published on Rotary International and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative blogs, lest you have missed them. 

Global Polio Eradication Initiative . 11 December 2012

Making it better

Rotary International news . 13 December 2012

Indian Rotarians perform corrective surgeries in Nigeria

Rotary Voices . 13 December 2012

Medical Mission delivers hope to Nigerian polio victims

Rotary Voices . 21 December 2012

Polio surgery project extends service beyond borders

Nigerian Health Minister joins Indian Doctors for Polio Surgeries

Nigeria's Honourable Federal Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu joined the team of Indian doctors working in Abuja, to conduct a polio corrective surgery on a six years old girl stricken with polio.  Abdurashid Ahmad from Zamfara state was being prepared for surgery by Dr. Amod when honorable minister arrived to join him in the operation theatre. 

Prof Chukwu is an orthopedic surgeon and a Rotarian, who considered it his duty to join his colleagues from India to underline his government's commitment and that of the Rotarians in the country to end polio from their country.  

This was a superb gesture on his part having kept his promise to the team of Indian doctors a day earlier during the grand reception he had hosted for us at Hotel Sheraton over dinner.  On being persuaded by Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo to join in the surgery being an accomplished orthopedic surgeon himself, he consented graciously. 

 "By next year we shall be able to stop the spread of wild polio virus in the country, and would be sending out our teams to jointly with Indian team of doctors to other countries to combat polio," he asserted thanking Rotarian doctors of India for joining in the cause.

Hon'ble Minister with PDG Dr. Deepak Purohit and Past Rotary International President Raja Saboo.  DG Girish Gune, the team leader, can be seen standing behind Dr Deepak Purohit. 

From a life of crawling to dignified posture

Are we doing enough? Enough for the people suffering from the most depressing condition of polio-affliction abounding in Nigeria?

These were the questions that the doctors were asking themselves. For long we had forgotten similar conditions that prevailed in our country earlier too but not to the extent that we were witnessing in Nigeria, that continues to real under wild polio virus transmission, and which has impacted the lives of many children in various nooks and corners of the country. 

The children were being carried along while adults crawled to reach the OPD.  But our team of doctors, determined to change their lives, went about their work till late after the formal flag off on 3rd December itself so that the patients could be prepared for the surgeries next morning. 

The teams are working today in two groups, both approximately 60kms apart in suburbs of Keffi and .  Gwagwalada that takes almost one-and-a-hour hour minimum to reach the destination.  A quick breakfast at the Hotel's restaurant - the base camp - at 7am every day, two coaches take the team of doctors to their respective destinations. 

The moment they get down, it is no less than a philharmonic orchestra at play.  Perfect team work, excellent coordination between the volunteers, anesthetists and orthopedicians, assisted by the local doctors and the nursing staff of the Federal Medical Hospital at Keffi and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital at Gwaagwalada, the Indian missionaries go about doling out their affection, care and concern on little children.
At times, no one is bothered about the time, the lunch or tea-break, or a little rest, touching on an average 50 surgeries and two-to-three times of procedures.
The task is monumental.  In a short span of 10 days not everyone can be reached. Yet the Federal  Ministry of Health of Nigeria had been grateful and is providing every support to identify children from various parts of their country and bring them to Abuja for the surgeries.  How many we can do is not the question.  How much difference to every single life that we are able to bring on the operation table is what matters. 

A hearty welcome to Indian heroes

Local doctors and Rotarians greeted the Indian team of doctors with great affection.

Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo later joined the team on the same evening having flown directly from Berlin after attending the peace conference there.

Members ready to go to one of the camp sites at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, for the flag off ceremony.

Raja Saboo and Jonathan Majiyagbe, past Rotary International Presidents waiting for the arrival of the Hon'ble Minister.

Hon'ble Minister of Health, Prof. C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu, a professor of surgery, a Rotarian and multiple Paul harris Fellow, was all commendation for the Indian team. He said that with the continued support from Rotary, and commitment of the Nigerian Government and active involvement of local Rotarians, Nigeria would write another new chapter of history by eradicating polio very soon.  "We have developed an Emergency Plan making  having seen the Indian success, and are making every stakeholder responsible for achieving this goal," he said. 

The inaugural saw the presence of high profile officials of the Nigerian government including Executive Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr. Muhammad J.G. Ado, and other officials.
Also present was Chairman of Rotary International Nigerian National Polio Plus Committee Chair Busuyi Onabolu, DG Felix Obadan, amongst others.

The last four days from take off

The last five days had been very hectic and I sit today to review our journey and involvement as member of India-Nigeria Rotary Polio Surgeries medicare mission at Abuja, it appears so overwhelming.  Sitting here in Abuja, I am trying to recapitulate some of the highlights for our Rotarian friends who are following our posts, and of course, the family members of the team members.

On 1st December, the Team India flew into Mumbai and converged in a guest house for a preliminary briefing session.  PDG Dr Rajiv Pradhan and PDG Dr, Deepak Purohit provided an overview of the project, the challenges and the opportunities for the Indian doctors to prove themselves once again, as adaptive, resilient, and innovative, who are ready to perform in any work situation.

The meeting continued for over one and a half hour before everyone went ahead to have their dinner. It was 11pm, and despite repeated requests to take rest for a long day ahead, no one was really willing.

Early in the morning at 1am everyone was ready for action as truck containing the packages arrived.  No one was tired. No sleep in sight. Just last minute checks, jokes, and excitement.

We arrived at the International Airport at 2pm and each one, every doctor and volunteer, was holding on to the precious equipment and supplies and moved on to the baggage check. 

Dr. Amod and others waiting for their turn.  There were 64 pieces of cartons and the total load was 1135kgs.  Thanks to the very cooperative staff of Ethiopian airlines who patiently loaded the baggage with a smile. 

The doctors were not shy off personally unloading the material and putting it together at the Abuja airport. Local Rotarians also joined in especially the mission coordinator PDG Saliu Ahmad.  Seen in T-shirt is Indian team leader DG Dr. Girish Gune of D3131. 

Dr. Deepak Purohit being greated by a Health Ministry's official at the airport. 

It was gracious of Past Rotary International President Jonathan Majiyagbe and his wife Ade to wait outside the airport for nearly 2 hours as we got our baggage sorted out.

And as we boarded the coach, DG Felix A.E. Obadan, RI District 9125 reached the airport and greeted the team members. 

The Countdown Begins

The team of doctors from different parts of the country would be converging tomorrow at Mumbai by evening, and would be ready with their medical equipment and necessary supplies for Mission Nigeria: Rotary's India-Nigeria Polio Surgeries Medicare Mission.

The team would depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 5:40am on Sunday, the 2nd December, on Ethiopian Airlines for a 10 hour flight with an hour-and-forty minutes stop over at Addis Ababa, before reaching Abuja.

The team's Nigerian contact mobile numbers are ready and those interested can download the same  by clicking here. 

I would be flying Indigo from Chandigarh tomorrow evening to Mumbai along with Rtn. Dr. Sunil Mehta and Rtn. Dr. S.K. Sablok.

Nigeria, we are coming.

Nigeria's Federal Minister of Health sends his Goodwill Message

Hon'ble Minister of Health, Prof. C.O.Onyebuchi Chukwu in his goodwill message to the India-Nigeria Polio Surgeries Medicare team, writes :

"The Federal Government identifies with the lofty ideals of the Mission in proiding succor to polio victims and thereby promoting the global polio eradication initiative. We at the Federal Ministry of Health and our partners remain committed to the objective of eradicating polio from Nigeria in 2015 and mitigating its health effects. We continue to appreciate the partnership with Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation in all our healthcare initiatives.

"I look forward to a successful outcome of the mision and succor to our unfortunate brothers and sisters who are affected by the polio scourge."

Indeed all of us who are part of this medicare mission look forward to be there at Abuja with our Nigerian brethren and make our humble contribution to make a difference in the lives of some of the people.  It may not be enough, but nevertheless, it would matter to all those whose lives would change...thanks to the expertise of our team of Doctors.  

Health Minister sends his message for India-Nigeria Polio Surgeries Team

Hon'ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, has sent his message of good wishes for the team of India-Nigeria Polio Surgeries Medicare Mission.

"The biggest challenge today," he writes, "is to end polio from the world to protect future generations from this scourge. The participation of people and communities is critical to the success of massive international and domestic efforts that are underway in different parts of the world."

He further adds, "I would like to take this opportunity to convey my wholehearted support and best wishes for the success of this mission since such humanitarian efforts go a long way in winning the trust of people and communities besides of course providing succour and relief to those in need."

Polio Surges in Nigeria

Here's a report from Voice of America that underlines the need to step up the efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria.

Photo Courtesy: VOA/H.Murdoch

"Polio is again on the rise in Nigeria and doctors said the entire region should be on alert. An alarming number of new cases have been found in the north, where authorities are already dealing with the unrest caused by the militant group Boko Haram. Health officials warn that even a few cases of polio can lead to a devastating outbreak.  More

As we get ready to reach out to Abuja, the work for the  team of doctors from India who are now getting ready to fly from Mumbai on 1st of December for the 10-days India-Nigeria Polio Surgeries medicare mission, becomes more challenging and yet timely.  

Behind success of any public campaign is a champion.

Rotary International honoured Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan few months back for the Nigerian government's commitment to eradicate polio from the country.

Media from Polio-Endemic Countries Shares Concern

Worldwide the health authorities are worried about the setback to the immunisation efforts in the polio-endemic countries.

Here are some of the global media headlines:

WHO alerts on woresening health crisis in Nigeria
The Guardian, Nigeria

Rotary seeks polio support to end polio scourge
Nigeria 70

Polio Receding worldwide, but challenges remain.
Booster Shots



This Close – New 2012 from Rotary International on Vimeo.

We care for every child

We care for every child on this planet earth. Rotary started with this mission way back in 1979 when polio immunisation efforts were taken up by Rotary in Philippines.  Now with collective efforts of WHO, UNICEF, CDCC and Rotary, with the governments of almost every country around the world, we have got rid of polio...almost.  "But almost is not enough," reiterates Past Rotary International President Rajendra K. Saboo.  "We have to make sure that every child on this planet earth is protected against polio," he adds.

The India-Nigeria Polio Surgeries mission is to reach out to the parents in Nigeria so that they keep their child safe from the scourge of polio.  There are numerous polio-afflicted people in Nigeria. The polio-corrective surgery would help a few of them.  But every parent can ensure that polio does not afflict the future generation.