Polio Foundation: A Ray of Hope for the Physically Challenged , Gujrat

The sight of a handicapped child dragging himself on his buttocks or walking like a quadrupled creature is not an uncommon one. But even today, a large section of such physically handicapped people live in a hopeless state with no anticipation for betterment. Imagine someone who cannot walk and has no hope of even having the gift of walking on his own two feet. Polio Foundation has been relentlessly working for 25 years to bring in a ray of light in such darkened lives!


Since its birth in Ahmedabad in 1987, the foundation has been striving to fulfill its objective of aiding the physically handicapped children by way of corrective surgery and giving them necessary appliances so that they can walk on their feet without anybody’s assistance. This does not merely bring about physical gratification; it also has tremendous impact upon the psychological development of the child coupled with immense happiness to the family. The initial polio corrective operations of the foundation from 1987 to 1992 were limited to Sundays only. However, since March 1992, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has given special premises to Polio Foundation, a three-storied hospital in the heart of the city on a token rent of Rs. 1011 per year, where work is being carried on a daily basis. All treatments, care and calipers are provided without any cost to the patients.

Artificial Limb Distribution Camp

The hospital offers a wide variety of services to the patients. Doctors, paramedics and donors have joined hands with each other for this noble cause. Right from prevention to rehabilitation, a single Window Service includes immunization, early diagnosis, counselling, corrective surgery, caliper workshop, socio- economic rehabilitation; each step towards definite freedom and happiness. There are various departments in the hospital, including Polio (OPD and Corrective surgery department), Cerebral Palsy, Paediatric Orthopaedic, Paediatric Plastic Surgery, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Prosthetic & Orthotic Department and Diabetic Foot Care.

The institute also has a training centre that offers various courses like Diploma in Rehabilitation Therapy, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT), Bachelor of Prosthetic & Orthotic (BPO), Bachelor of Audiology & Speech Language Pathology, Diploma in Special Education (Cerebral Palsy) (DSE-CP), Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT), Master of Social Work (MSW), etc.

Polio Foundation has also been awarded an ISO certificate that certifies that the quality management system of the foundation complies with the standards of ISO 9001:2008 for providing healthcare service to needy people.

The institute Indukaka Ipcowala Seva Sanshan has now opened for the benefit of the common man. Polio Foundation has introduced exclusive care centers for Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Foot Care with skilled medico technocrats and well trained paramedical staff to render special investigation services through electronic and computerized medical equipments.

Surgeries to prevent blindness are carried out

An example of a success story for the Polio Foundation is the case of Purvi from Dhanduka. At the age of seven years, while playing in the field, some particles went into her eye and the local village doctor mishandled her case miserably by pouring some wrong eye drops and she became blind. All her dreams for education and her parents’ wish to see their girl child educated and married shattered. A social worker came to know about Purvi’s condition while visiting their village. She straightway brought Purvi to Polio Foundation and took special interest to see that her Cornea grafting operation. The operation was fully successful and Purvi got her vision back.

Impressed by the outstanding performance of Polio Foundation, AUDA has allocated 5500 Sq. Yard land at Vejalpur, Ahmedabad for the Dream Project of creating a modern institute in the state of Gujarat. Work at the site has progressed at a furious pace at the site and the commencement of the institute is expected soon.
Thus, Polio Foundation is what they call a ‘conscious decision on the part of the medical fraternity, leading to absolutely free services for the less fortunate’. It is indeed a wondrous undertaking of the health community to focus on the utmost needy who just cannot afford the expensive services of modern hospitals and doctors. As it continues to grow, the initiative will certainly make a great impact upon the physically challenged people of the country, transforming their lives completely and marvelously.

You can contact Polio Foundation Seva Sansthan at:

Address: Pavan Sut Society, Behind Sun Flower School, Nr. Rajwadu Hotel, Jivraj Park,  Ahmedabad-380 051 Gujarat India
Phone : 079-26610801 / 03, 079 – 26611800, 26613800
E-mail : poliofoundation@gmail.com,  info@poliofoundation.org
Website : www.poliofoundation.org


Source  : The Better India , 13th April 2013 ( By Palak Bhatia )