The World Health Organization Country Office for India joined the government of Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the polio free status of India and the entire South-East Asia Region of WHO at Lucknow on 22 September 2014.
WHO felicitated officials from the state for their role in polio eradication at this special event.
Mr Akhilesh Yadav thanked WHO for providing support not only to polio eradication efforts but also to routine immunization and measles control. He also expressed hope that this partnership with WHO will be an enduring one.
Congratulating the Chief Minister, the state government officials, the community leaders and the people of the state for their role in polio eradication, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative to India highlighted that Uttar Pradesh becoming polio free was an important milestone in India’s war against polio.
“India’s fight against polio exemplifies the spirit and determination of its people and is an embodiment of dedication, innovation and synergy. India is polio free due to the painstaking efforts of each one of you present here. You have not just created history but gifted an entire generation of this country a life free of polio,” she added.
In her address, Dr Menabde underscored that India’s success with polio has many lessons that are being replicated by ongoing health programmes in India and polio-affected countries for protecting children from other vaccine preventable diseases.
Other dignitaries present on the special occasion included Mr Ahmad Hasan, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Mr Shankh Lal Manjhi, Minister of State for Health, Uttar Pradesh; Mr Nitin Agrawal, Minister of State for Health, Uttar Pradesh and senior officials from WHO India and the state government, as well as representatives from UNICEF, Rotary International and CORE.