Chris Philip and John Philip are one among the large number of foreign couples touring Fort Kochi. But on Sunday, they gave the sunup charm of the beach a miss as they were volunteering at the pulse polio immunisation programme held at Government Women and Children Hospital in Mattancherry.
Chris and John Philip are from England and they are leading a team of 34 members who are volunteering for the pulse polio immunisation programme, an initiative of Rotary Club. Thirty-two British and two Swedish nationals volunteered at various pulse polio booths throughout Ernakulum district. Rotary club has been active in the pulse polio campaign in India for years. All the volunteers flew down at their own expenses.
“The U.K. has contributed as much as 1.2 billion dollars in the past years of the polio immunisation programme in India. We are really happy to see the outcome. Within two years India will be totally polio-free,” said Chris Philip. This is her sixth trip to India and the first to Kerala as part of the Rotary projects.
Dr. John Philip is a retired breast cancer specialist.
Pulse polio immunisation booths were arranged in various spots throughout Fort Kochi and Mattanchery. Booths were set up in Boat Jetty and bus stands to ensure better participation from travellers.
