Polio outbreaks threaten Papua

Debby Surjadi administers the polio vaccine to a child in Bugalaga, Papua, Indonesia, in April. (Photo submitted)

PAPUA, INDONESIA—Most of us think of polio as a disease our parents or grandparents talked about, but not one that concerns us today. Poliomyelitis was one of the most feared diseases of the early 1900s, paralyzing hundreds of thousands of children worldwide each year.

When effective vaccines became available in the 1950s and 1960s, the disease was quickly controlled and almost eradicated globally. But the disease still shows up in isolated areas of the world. One of these areas is Bugalaga, on the eastern Indonesian island of Papua, where Dr. Julius Surjadi recently intervened to gain control of a surprising outbreak of polio cases. Even a son and daughter of one of his healthcare workers in Papua had become paralyzed in one leg.

Julius learned that for several years, the governing authorities had stopped providing polio vaccines, resulting in this outbreak. So he and his wife, Debby, began a campaign of education, physical exams and administration of the polio vaccine. On a recent follow-up visit, no new cases of polio had occurred, and those with the disease were making progress in regaining strength.

Pray for this program to be effective. In addition, Julius has started a program to treat tuberculosis. To date, 41 people have received treatment with six new cases discovered recently. Pray that patients will remain compliant in taking their medications for the full six to nine months to be cured of this infection. Also, pray for the construction of his clinic and medication storehouse in Bugalaga. It is now 70% complete with hopes of finishing the project by the end of the year.

Toggle between the images below to read our full September GAP newsletter. And see some additional images from the Papua building project as well.