-The Times of India Tomorrow, India will be given polio-free certification by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Southeast Asia wing. Dr Nata Menabde, WHO representative to India, spoke with Rohit E David on the steps India took to eradicate the deadly polio virus, how the country must guard against it resurfacing - and who deserves credit for this remarkable accomplishment: * What global significance does India being polio-free hold? India has reached a...

-The Hindu     The critical issue in India, where the pentavalent vaccine is being rolled out, is raising the coverage levels of immunisation "Immunisation is not an election issue. It should be." Seth Berkley, CEO, GAVI Alliance, is not known for mincing his words. Throw in the immense experience he brings in from the area of vaccination, and he is easily the most articulate global proponent of immunisation. In India recently to meet...

-The Indian Express It was once thought impossible, but a 35-year-fight has won India its biggest public health success story. Raxaul: It was once thought impossible, but two million footsoldiers and a 35-year-fight have won India its biggest public health success story. Pritha Chatterjee & Santosh Singh on how the battle was won and the biggest challenges ahead. It's one of the busiest spots along the porous India-Nepal border. At about 1.30 pm...

-The Indian Express October is the month of Durga Puja and like in the rest of the country, a warm festive spirit hangs in the air in Odisha. There is a sense of life at its fullest. Memories of Friday the 29th this same month in 1999 temporarily retreat to the background amidst the hope of celebration. Is it surprising that an event 14 years ago should at all be a...

-Live Mint The country is a happy hunting ground for communicable diseases In a Mint article last week, economist Dean Spears pointed out that the double whammy of high population density and unsanitary conditions in India stunts the growth of children, who bear a disproportionate burden of infectious diseases and lose their ability to absorb nutrients. Unless India ramps up its public health system, providing extra food will mean little for...