Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], August 4 (ANI): A polio-afflicted Mitanin in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur is visiting door-to-door for 20 years to administer polio vaccine to children, with the feeling that the pain she bore never becomes the fate of any child.
Rupa Sahu, a polio-afflicted mitanin from Baroda village in Raipur’s Abhanpur block, has been going door-to-door for the last 20 years to administer polio vaccine to children. She has only one dream that no other child ever has to live with the pain and helplessness that she has endured whole life. This resolve gives her the strength to reach people continuously, through every season, difficulty, and challenge.
Rupa Sahu has been working as a Mitanin since 2006. So far, she has administered polio vaccines to over 5000 children. If any child misses the vaccination camp, she visits their home personally to administer the polio drops. In situations when parents hesitate or refuse, she shares the challenges and problems being faced by her due to polio.
“Ever since I became a Mitanin, I set a single goal that no other child should ever suffer the pain I went through. I am disabled due to polio myself and know how difficult life is for a person with a disability. Childhood somehow passes, but as you grow up, every step is a struggle, and often you have to suppress your own happiness,” said Rupa Sahu.
She further elaborated that there are many hardships in her life, and whenever she looks back at the struggles, tears fill her eyes. She transforms her pain into a mission, and her only wish is that no child in the future has to face the pain and helplessness caused by polio. Every time she administers a polio vaccine to a child, Sahu remembers her own childhood, which was filled with pain and challenges.
According to Block Coordinator Sheelu Sahu, despite being hit by polio, Rupa Sahu managed all her household chores independently and also discharged her duties honestly. Initially, many people questioned what she could possibly achieve and even raised doubts about her capabilities. Rupa Sahu carries out every program with full responsibility, including home visits, the Pulse Polio campaign, maternal care, institutional deliveries and health surveys. She has just one dream: that no child in the area should fall victim to polio.
Rupa Sahu works as a Mitanin and takes care of children and pregnant women, said local Sevati Sahu, adding that she guides them on dietary habits, what to avoid and how young children can stay healthy.
As soon as she learns that a woman in the area is pregnant or about to give birth, Rupa Sahu visits them riding her tricycle and advises the expectant mothers on proper nutrition and care during pregnancy, added the local.
“I have been working as a health Mitanin since 2003 and have worked alongside Rupa Sahu for nearly 20 years. Despite her disability from polio, Rupa travels from village to village and house to house to give children two drops of polio vaccine. People sometimes question her disability, but without caring about what anyone says, she does her job with complete dedication and hard work. She always says, May no other child ever suffer the pain that I have endured,” Mitanin Devki Sahu said. (ANI)
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