The Reading Warehouse

This book is an important record of the communication journey by UNICEF that began in 2002, and explains how the programme became such a success. It helps explain why communication is such a ′vital drop′ not only for polio eradication, but also in the wider interest of child health and well-being.

The book explores the variety of communication initiatives undertaken to reach out to the country′s diverse, segregated and mobile communities-especially in the endemic northern states. The book lays emphasis on evidence-both social and epidemiological-and shows the choices, approaches and course corrections that were galvanized to support polio eradication by families as well as communities. Also, the sophisticated surveillance and communication network described in detail can be used to improve the outreach and efficacy of other public health programmes.

Gitanjali Chaturvedi is a development professional with a PhD in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. She has gained experience in the sphere of social policy, ecotourism, environment and sustainable development. Prior to her involvement with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in Nigeria and India, she worked with UNIDO in the field of renewable energy and cleaner production. The Vital Drop: Communication for Polio Eradication in India is her first book.