What clinicians need to know when treating polio survivors

By Neena Bhandari Sydney, 16.02.2023 (The Medical Republic): While Australia was declared polio-free in 2000, there is a major need to invest in medical care of many of the tens of thousands of people, who contracted poliomyelitis (polio) during the 20th century polio epidemics and are now experiencing what is known as the “Late Effects… Continue reading What clinicians need to know when treating polio survivors

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Access to aids can make a huge difference to polio survivors

Neena Bhandari speaks to SBS Hindi Australia was declared Polio free in 2000. Journalist Neena Bhandari, who had polio as a child says “Polio still poses a threat and is only a flight away. Most people, especially migrants who have arrived in recent years, find it very difficult to get diagnosed for PPS or Late… Continue reading Access to aids can make a huge difference to polio survivors

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On a foot and a prayer

©Surabhi Dhandhia

By Neena Bhandari A Cancelled flight, a lost suitcase, a stolen wallet are exigencies we may plan for while travelling, but I had never considered the possibility of an unexpected injury, until it happened during one of my annual sojourns in India. It revealed the dichotomy between the avant-garde and primitive modes of transport and… Continue reading On a foot and a prayer

India needs to focus on its polio survivors

Laxman Garasia, a polio survivor, in Ghanerao village (Rajasthan). Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari The Indian Government, Non-Governmental Organisations and the larger community must invest in rehabilitating millions of polio survivors facing new physical, social, cultural and economic challenges. India was certified polio-free by the World Health Organisation on 27 March 2014. Polio immunisation has been a great success story of public-private health partnership, but now… Continue reading India needs to focus on its polio survivors

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Walking for the Commonwealth

Neena Bhandari carrying the 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton on Elizabeth Street in Sydney. Photo credit: ©Brendan Read

By Neena Bhandari Sydney, 26.03.2006 (The Hindu): On a balmy Sydney afternoon in November 2005, a phone call changed the way me and my family would henceforth celebrate January 26. Throughout my growing up years, Indian Republic Day held a special significance. We would spend long hours practising national songs on the flute as our… Continue reading Walking for the Commonwealth

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The Phases of Polio – Past, Present and Future

By Neena Bhandari Canberra, 15.12.2004 (IPS): As developing countries move closer to polio eradication, the developed world is battling with ageing polio survivors experiencing post polio syndrome (PPS). Many of the 40,000 Australians, who survived the polio epidemics of the twentieth century, are facing the threat of new disabilities. While they initially recovered and made… Continue reading The Phases of Polio – Past, Present and Future

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