Polio drive to cover 3.58 lakh kids
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 27 2017:
Family Welfare Services and State Health Society Manipur are getting ready to administer pulse polio drops on January 29 to 3,58,474 children under five years.
In an interview with The Sangai Express today, Dr Kangujam Roja, Director, Department of Family Welfare Services said the polio drops would be administered through booths on January 29.The Department will conduct a two day house to house campaign after the booth day to make sure all the children are covered.
A total of 4,55,280 doses to cover a target of 3,58,474 children have been provided by the Ministry of Health Services, Government of India.
The polio drops would be administered through 3585 booths from 8 am to 5 pm.
The services of 14,340 volunteers drawn from Asha, Anganwadi, nursing students, and other voluntary organisations would be pooled in for the mass pulse polio administration.
717 supervisors would also be engaged to check the procedures, he said.
The total number of children who were administered polio drops in the first round on January 17, 18 and 19 last year � 3,52,770, exceeded the targeted number of children that was 3,34,054.Last year, polio drops were administered at 3515 booths under the supervision of 695 supervisors.
The second phase of the drive was held in February 21, 22 and 23 .
Polio vaccination in India began from 1978.But, it was only in 1995, that the vaccination was spread all across India.
On March 27, 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared India as a polio-free country, Dr Rajo said.
"We cannot, however, be entirely sure that India has been freed from Polio.
Neighbouring countries, Myanmar for example, is still infected by the disease.
The polio virus can still enter India through various means," he stated.