2,91,068 children administered polio drops on day 1 of IPPI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 11 2018: Department of Family Welfare Services kicked-started the second round of Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation programme from Family Welfare office today.

The inaugural function was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar as chief guest; Additional Director (Health) Dr H Ranjit as president and Additional Director (Health Services) Dr S Manikanta as guest of honour.

Altogether 2,91,068 children were administered polio drops in 3618 booths in different districts on the first day of IPPI phase II, 14,472 vaccinators, 723 supervisors and 11 State observers assisted in the administration of polio drops.

Speaking to newspersons, Minister Jayantakumar informed that a target has been set to administer polio drops to 1,91,68 lakhs of children in the second round of IPPI.

He said that the polio vaccine protects against poliomyelitis (polio), a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system.

He said that all the people should take active participation in the initiatives taken up to eradicate polio from the world.

He observed that there is an apparent need to initiate precautionary measures to stop spread of poliovirus from outside the State mainly from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Polio is spread when the stool of an infected person is introduced into the mouth of another person through contaminated water or food.

Oral-oral transmission by way of an infected person's saliva may account for some cases, he elaborated.

The Minister said that maintaining high levels of polio immunization in the community is the single most effective preventive measure.

He stressed on the importance of women empowerment in States like Manipur where the role of women is imperative.

Jayantakumar also cautioned against any bid to determine gender of baby through ultrasound and other illegal means.

He added that the Government has been taking up various measures to improve health sector in the State.

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