For the past two years there were not polio cases in the country and if no polio cases are registered by January 13th then World Health Organization (WHO) would declare India as a polio free country, said Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad. According to WHO, if no polio cases are filed for three consecutive years, WHO will declare it has polio free nation and we are very close to it.

This is remarkable achievement as in 2009 around 50 percent cases of polio in the world were registered in India and with the government taking necessary precautions, the rate has declined to zero level. Azad claimed it as UPA government's big achievement and also emphasized for more care on newly born babies.

(AW: Vamshi Tunga)