“Immunization should be a top priority. No child should die due to any preventable diseases.”
POLIO ERADICATION
Dr.Rajan has always taken keen interest in national pulse polio activities. He was fortunate to discuss his vision of polio eradication in India with Jonas Salk, the founder of IPV and with the guidance and assistance of UNICEF project director Dr.K.Suresh. Many polio awareness programmes were organized by Dr.Rajan. He was involved in the South Asia regional conference under the aegis of WHO, Rotary International and Govt. of India at
Delhi.
PULSE POLIO MEETINGS (NATIONAL, STATE AND DISTRICT)
International Meeting on Polio Plus
He was invited to attend the Polio Plus meeting at the South Asia Regional Conference, held at New Delhi. It was here that the strategic planning against the war for Polio was done under the aegis of Govt.of India, UNICEF, WHO and Rotary International.National Level Meeting on Polio Plus
As the Pulse polio chairman in charge of North Karnataka, Goa and South Maharashtra, Dr.Rajan attended the conference to discuss the planning of a review of Polio eradication held at New Delhi. Union Minister of Health and UNICEF authorities addressed the meeting. Health Secretary, Govt.of India, Health Minister of Delhi State participated in the discussions. This was held in April 1993.
He was invited to attend the National polio Plus Planning and Review meeting during April 1998 at New Delhi as the Governor of Rotary International. During this meeting he saw to it that a special review meeting would be held in Bijapur district, which should be attended by concerned authorities from head quarters. This was in view of the fact that plenty of polio cases were reported from Bijapur and Bagalkot area.
Regional Level Polio Plus Meeting
Under his leadership, the District Level Planning and Review meeting was held at Belgaum. Honourable minister Shri Umesh Katti inaugurated this event. State immunization officers, DHOs, DIOs, and social workers attended this from the districts of Belgaum, Dharwad, Bijapur and North Canara. This was held during August 1998.
District Level Polio Plus Meetings
Dr.Rajan presided over the planning and review meeting held at Bijapur, Belgaum, Karwar and Hubli. Deputy Commissioners, CEOs of Zilla Panchayat and President of Zilla Panchayat chaired the session. Health authorities, social workers and members of NGOs attended this meeting. These meetings were held during August to November 1998.
Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance Meetings
Dr.Rajan has addressed AFP surveillance meetings conducted by AFP surveillance officer, Government of India in association with District health authorities. These were held in Hubli and Dharwad during 2001-2002.
Acute Flaccid Paralysis Reporting
He has reported umpteen numbers of cases regularly to the health authorities. His hospital is recognized as the reporting unit in this part of the State. AFP surveillance officers in have praised his efforts in various forums.
Polio Vaccination Camps
He has been in the forefront of immunization right from 1985. He has planned and executed the Polio Immunization schedules in association with corporation health authorities, Rotary International, Indian Medical Association and Indian Academy of Pediatrics.
Polio Plus March
Street Plays, cycle expedition were some unique ideas which motivated the members in the community and brought awareness. He has personally monitored couple of booths during immunization days. He was invited to solve the problems in the resistant areas. His personal counseling helped in the acceptance of Polio vaccination by grandmothers or few disgruntled mothers in problematic areas and booths. His hospital has a booth, wherein maximum numbers of children get immunized. He has addressed on the subject of Polio through AIR and also participated in the panel discussion on the subject of Polio eradication.
Awards for efforts towards Polio eradication
In recognition of his significant active, personal service towards the goal of Polio Eradication, Dr.Rajan has received the “Regional Service Award for a Polio Free World” from the Chairman, Rotary Foundation trustees of Rotary International, during 2010-11.
MEASLES VACCINATION
It was way back in 1987 that immunization against Measles was undertaken. It was then that the Measles vaccine was not so popular and people were hesitant to take it. It was expensive too. With the help of Rotary Club of Birmingham and sister clubs of Mid Lands UK, he could procure the vaccine and organise a camp, which was held in various slums of Dharwad. More than 5000 children were immunized in this camp which was held between 25th January and June 1987.
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION
Dr.Rajan has addressed many medical and non-medical forums to create awareness about Hepatitis B vaccination. He has addressed IMA and IAP members at Hubli-Dharwad, Alnavar, Haliyal, Dandeli etc.
TYPHOID VACCINATION
Typhoid is a very common disease among the school going children. A massive campaign was organized and typhoid vaccinations were administered to school going children at a very affordable rate. This was conducted during 2002.
FREE HEPATITIS B AND TYPHOID VACCINATIONS
During the silver jubilee celebrations of his hospital, children were given free immunization with Hepatitis B & Typhoid vaccines. This programme continued for a complete 1 year from December 2003 – 2004. Maximum numbers of patients were from villages and Dharwad slums. More than 2000 children received the benefit of the programme.
ANTI-TETANUS VACCINE TO LABOURERS
During October, November and December 1986 all the workers of Bharuka Textile near Sattur, Dharwad were immunized with free Tetanus toxoid vaccinations. Shri Agarwal the head of the unit helped us to conduct this programme and appreciated our efforts.
ADDRESSED THE IMA/IAP/SOCIAL GROUPS
He has addressed many medical and non-medical forum to create awareness about vaccinations addressed member of IMA/IAP, Hubli, Dharwad, Alnavar, Haliyal, Dandeli, Soundatti, Gadag and Athani.
With Jonas Salk the inventor of injectable Polio Vaccine
Mass Measles immunization
Hepatitis B vaccination camp.