An ambitious health programme needs unflinching dedication from governments and devotion to duty from medical personnel (“Scoring over polio,” Jan. 18). Fortunately, India’s polio eradication programme had both. In addition, the high level of motivation in parents of children took the eradication efforts to magical levels. The government trained the volunteers well; they worked with missionary zeal. The focus on hygiene and potable water also contributed to its success. Our other preventable disease eradication programmes also need to emulate this success story.
Ganapathi Bhat,
Akola, Maharashtra