Regional Workshop On Polio Eradication At Moradabad (UP), 28^th April 2002

It was decided to pass a resolution which will be called
Moradabad Declaration of IAP as follows:

Highlights of Moradabad Declaration.

1. There is no flaw in Pulse Polio Program. By taking corrective measures in its implementation, we can surely overcome the last hurdle.
2. IAP members will be more conscious of their role in motivating people for PPI. They will not only provide right information to parents coming at their clinics but also go to remote areas to serve this purpose.
3. IAP members will give their services in health camps organized by UNICEF.
4. IAP members will help UNICEFís social mobilization coordinators in overcoming resistance in families for taking polio doses.
5. IAP members will help in disseminating scientific reasoning that why additional doses are needed, why polio occurred in a vaccinated child etc.
6. IAP will establish field coordination with Rotary in achieving polio eradication.
7. IAP members now onwards will do screening of their admitted patient for number of OPV doses received (Surveillance for OPV doses).
8. Action should take place where the problem lies. IAP have moved from national level to state and now to district level. Next we should move to small towns, village and block levels in hot zones. IAP has decided to hold such workshops at districts and block levels right under the nose of the devil.
9. At all public forums, there should be complete consensus amongst the experts. Any discordant noise will send confusing signals in the media and society. All controversies should be settled in academic platforms.
10. IAP advises Govt. to strengthen the routine immunization, as very poor coverage will continue to be a stumbling block in Polio eradication. There should be complete honesty in reporting immunization coverage.
11. Media should be primed of its pivotal role. If duly utilized media can be the most potent weapon in our hands to fight misconceptions and in motivating and informing people.
12. Some new ideas and approach should be infused along with door-to-door campaigns not only to lend them more credibility but also to overcome irritation among the people because of repetition. This can be in form of distributing medicines, holding health camps in problematic areas.
13. Local IAP branch will coordinate between Govt. and Non Govt. agencies and serve as a guiding and motivating force. They will form a task force to serve this purpose.
14. Polio is on truly on verge of eradication and requires just a ëfinal pushí and thus it is most important that we should have belief in this. This will help overcome the sense of fatigue and boredom.
15. Sincerity, dedication and honesty in approach are that is all required.

By B. K. Dutt, Vipin Vashistha, Salabh Agarwal, Nitin K. Shah, Dr. Naveen Thacker