Fight against polio continues
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 22 2013 :
Even though there is no fresh cases of polio infection in Manipur in the past few years campaign against the stultifying disease will persist, said an official of Health and Family Welfare Department.
According to the official, out of 3,57,173 children targeted for coverage in the 1st phase intensified pulse polio immunisation programme conducted in January this year, a total of 3,60,911 children below five years of age were administered polio vaccine compared to 3,43,292 children covered in the first round immunisation programme the previous year (February) out of 3,55,064 children targeted.
While the target was 3,60,911 children for the second phase this year (February) 3,58,910 children have been covered.
Explaining that the immunisation programme included polio drop administering at booth as well as house to house campaign, the official pointed out that intensity of the campaign necessitated involvement of nurses, anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA volunteers, school teachers and Department personnel.
For the first time ever, cross border polio vaccine administering was carried out by the Family Welfare Department at Gate 1 and 2 on the Indo-Myanmar border on April 22, 2013, said the official adding that the campaign is being sustained as the border town is frequented by children from the neighbouring country.
Pointing out that maintaining vigil at the border is necessary in order to prevent transmission of the disease, the official urged parents to ensure that their new-borns are provided polio vaccine and the same continued till they are above 5-years of age.
The official also recommended that infants be administered polio vaccine at all the Government health care centres located in both urban and rural areas along with ensuring that the children are protected against the disease by joining at the periodical immunisation programmes.