By Neena Bhandari Sydney, 23.10.2024 (SciDev.Net): Every year, 24 October is observed as World Polio Day, while the whole month is designated to raising awareness of the disease. Polio or poliomyelitis is a highly infectious, crippling and sometimes even fatal disease, which mainly affects children under five, and can be prevented with a vaccine. In… Continue reading Polio survivors face biggest fight of their lives
Category: Articles
Why Polio immunisation is a must
Neena Bhandari speaks to SBS Hindi: “Polio still poses a threat because of the nature of global travel, any under-vaccinated area could potentially be at risk even in countries like Australia where polio has long since been eradicated…..Polio is only a flight away because there is a pool of unvaccinated people in Australia.” Click here… Continue reading Why Polio immunisation is a must
A life battle with Poliomyelitis
By Neena Bhandari It was a meek October morning in 1967, only a month away from my third birthday, I had worn my frilled frock and white laced shoes to go and receive the triple polio vaccine. As I sang and danced along the way, making it difficult for my maternal grandfather to keep pace,… Continue reading A life battle with Poliomyelitis
Why polio survivors may benefit from a lung function test
By Neena Bhandari Sydney, 14.03.2023 (Allergy and Respiratory Republic): Basic lung function tests could go a long way in preventing complications in polio survivors as they age. These patients often require specific respiratory assessment and recommendations for physiotherapy, orthotics and assistive technology to manage their condition, experts say.
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
Unconscious Bias – In conversation with Smita Tharoor
Podcast Credit: © Tharoor Associates Ltd. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Radio Public
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
On a foot and a prayer
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
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
After eradication: India’s post-polio problem
By Neena Bhandari New Delhi, 31.03.2014 (BMJ): As India celebrates three years of being polio free there is an urgent need to invest in medical care for the thousands of people who made the most of life after having had poliomyelitis but are now facing the debilitating post-polio syndrome (PPS).1 2 PPS describes the sudden… Continue reading After eradication: India’s post-polio problem