Photos:7 years after eradication, Delhi surgeon continues to treat polio survivors

Updated On Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

Seven years of eradication of polio, Delhi surgeon Dr Mathew Varghese who runs the only polio ward in the country continues to treat those who survived.

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Dr. Mathew Vargheese, an orthopaedic surgeon runs India’s only polio ward at St Stephen’s Hospital in Delhi. His dream is to see the polio ward empty, but fears his wish may not come true in his lifetime. The last polio case was recorded on January 13, 2011 and three years later, the World Health Organisation (WHO) certified that India had eradicated polio. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

Dr. Mathew Vargheese, an orthopaedic surgeon runs India’s only polio ward at St Stephen’s Hospital in Delhi. His dream is to see the polio ward empty, but fears his wish may not come true in his lifetime. The last polio case was recorded on January 13, 2011 and three years later, the World Health Organisation (WHO) certified that India had eradicated polio. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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On World Polio Day, India Gate was lit in a pledge to eradicate the disease from India.It was in early-90s, polio crippled more than 50,000 children each year.In 2009, India had half the number of polio cases in the world. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

On World Polio Day, India Gate was lit in a pledge to eradicate the disease from India.It was in early-90s, polio crippled more than 50,000 children each year.In 2009, India had half the number of polio cases in the world. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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Rukshar Khatun, the last polio victim of the country, poses for a photo outside her house in the Howrah district, West Bengal.She survived the virus, but it left its mark as she limps because her left ankle still hurts when she walks. (Subhendu Ghosh / Hindustan Times)

Updated on Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

Rukshar Khatun, the last polio victim of the country, poses for a photo outside her house in the Howrah district, West Bengal.She survived the virus, but it left its mark as she limps because her left ankle still hurts when she walks. (Subhendu Ghosh / Hindustan Times)

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Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam gives polio drop to a baby at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Polio is a contagious viral dieseased that attacks the body’s nervous system causing paralysis. (Virendra Singh / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam gives polio drop to a baby at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Polio is a contagious viral dieseased that attacks the body’s nervous system causing paralysis. (Virendra Singh / HT Photo)

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Dr Varghese is at the ward before 8am each day and tries to treat everyone who reaches the ward. “I thought if no one can do it, I should be extremely good at it. Even today, we avoid giving polio cases to residents for practical exams, knowing well they would flunk the test,” said Dr Varghese. (Sanchit Khanna / HT PHOTO)

Updated on Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

Dr Varghese is at the ward before 8am each day and tries to treat everyone who reaches the ward. “I thought if no one can do it, I should be extremely good at it. Even today, we avoid giving polio cases to residents for practical exams, knowing well they would flunk the test,” said Dr Varghese. (Sanchit Khanna / HT PHOTO)

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Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with Ghulam Nabi Azad and others during the inauguration of the Polio Summit 2012. (Sushil Kumar / HT Photo)

Updated on Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with Ghulam Nabi Azad and others during the inauguration of the Polio Summit 2012. (Sushil Kumar / HT Photo)

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Dr Varghese encourages patients to use their time in the ward to learn and create. He says, “It will take another 50 years for the devastating effects of polio to not be visible.” (Sanchit Khanna / HT PHOTO)

Updated on Jan 13, 2018 04:55 pm IST

Dr Varghese encourages patients to use their time in the ward to learn and create. He says, “It will take another 50 years for the devastating effects of polio to not be visible.” (Sanchit Khanna / HT PHOTO)

News / Photos / News / Photos:7 years after eradication, Delhi surgeon continues to treat polio survivors

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