ASIA/INDIA - India is polio-free: thanks to the collaboration between State and Church

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - "Church and State have been working together to eradicate a disease that has caused suffering to millions of people. The positive outcome is the result of a joint effort": is what Fr. Ferdinand Nostrum said, spokesman for the Disease Control Center of the Catholic Church in India, commenting on the recent report of the World Health Organization: India is no longer on the list of countries where polio is endemic. On August 9, in fact, India celebrated twelve months without new cases of polio. If the trend continues for another two years, the virus will be considered formally eradicated.
"Winning the battle against polio has not been an easy task", notes Fr. Nostrum. The first joint project between the Catholic Church and the government was launched in 1997, among the general skepticism of many political Hindus. In 18 years, doctors and Catholic volunteers, international and local organizations, healthcare professionals sponsored by government programs, have worked tirelessly, especially in rural areas, in the work of prevention, especially through vaccine and then with a public awareness campaign and healthcare education. The Indian government has involved religious leaders and local communities to help build support for the polio vaccine. This ongoing commitment has resulted in the progressive reduction in polio cases. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/08/2015)