National Immunization Day

	National Immunization Day

South India NID 17-25 November 2004

21 Nov.

Village Rotary booths (The two groups split up into different groups, so I can’t tell you where each team member went) – see map

1 – Neelathanallur
2 – Kaval Kudam
3 – Melathukurichi
4 – Uthamathani
5 – Udumaiya Nathan
6 – Raman Street
7 – Thirupuramaiyam
8 – Samuthaya Kudam
9 – Uthirai
10 – Asoor

11 – Velakudi
12 – Perumandi
13 – Autonagar
14 – Muthaiya puram
15 – Aalamankujrichi
16 – Kothankudi
(Public Health Centre)
17 – Taattumaal
18 – Kudithangi
19 – Agarathoor

20 – Sattankudi
21 – Kadichambadi
22 – Parattai
23 – Thirunallar
24 – Kuruhur
25 – Vadakal Sali Vattam
26 – Devanancheri
27 – Athiyuri
28 – Public Healther Center

We started our NID by walking outside the Sterling gate, 10 K from Kumbakoman, and to the little booth at Thimakudi where 160 children were expected for immunization. It was all bedlam and crying babies as our team immunized children, strung balloons and took photos.

Stop 2 – (Booth #7) – Thirupuramaiyam – didn’t stay long

Carol’s observations - Travelling to our third stop – bumpy, dusty red dirt road past green rice paddies and lush vegetation; thatched roof homes, bicycles and bullock carts, bikes with stainless steel milk containers secured by ropes; we know we have arrived at our next stop when we see the telltale red and white polio banner

Stop 3 – Kothankudi

Responsible for 300 children

Hospital with 4 in-patient beds, a small labor room, Indian toilet, pharmacy with large top-loading refrigerator where polio vaccine is stored. The doctors (including Dr. Guna, consulting pediatrician), health workers and Rotarians show us route maps, lists of children and talk about the infrastructure behind a successful NID.

Stop 4 – Neelathanallur (Booth #1)

Each stop we get out and immunize a few children, paint a few fingernails, take a few photos, say hello to mothers and babies. We hand out stickers and watch as eyes appear from behind corners and walls.

We’re in an agricultural area where rice and sugarcane are major crops. Our car has a tough time maneuvering the dirt road of deep potholes. The local Rotarians remark that it’s a good thing that it didn’t rain yesterday so that the NID team could participate in the program. During monsoons, the vaccine and Rotarians travel by bicycle.

Stop 5 – At Sattankudi (Booth #20), Rtn. Shreepal Jain says that no foreigners have never visited this area. The villagers are curious, excited and want to see us. They bring their children to the immunziation booth and gesture for photos. The Rotarians, as well as the villagers, Shreepal says, are very happy because no one has ever seen and recognized the polio work they have accomplished.

At our last stop before lunch, women want their pictures taken with their babies. Shreepal points to a book used as a paperweight to keep documents from blowing away. He remakrs that holding down paper is “all the book is good for – this village is illiterate.”

Lunch – We’re invited into the home of PDG Vasikaran, an architect who is married to Chittra, the doctor responsible for the polio program in this area.

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel for massage; time with the animals of the estate – chittal (deer – friend of Pamela), turkeys, cows and bullocks; rest time and e-mail catch-up.

Dinner with Rotary clubs of Kumbakonam including the traditional exchange of banners and gifts.

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Updated: 04. august 2009