First Round Pulse Polio Immunisation drive held in Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19, 2012: Manipur joined the country in administering polio drops to children under five years of age in the first round Pulse Polio immunisation programme held across the State.

The campaign was formally launched this morning at the BT Road office complex of Family Welfare Services, Manipur with State Mission Director Devesh Deval providing polio drops to children, officially kick-starting the campaign.

The 86 Bn and 69 Bn CRPF also joined hands in the massive campaign by conducting the programme at its respective headquarters.

Pulse polio programme conducted by the 86 Bn at its Lamphelpat headquarters covered a total of 177 children below 5-years of age.

It is said that Commandant Sanjeev Kumar, Second in-command KA Ningam, Chief Medical Officer Dr Florence Dangmei and Dy CO Jangbir Singh Rajoura and other members of 86 Bn took the initiative to make the programme a grand success.

On the otherhand, Second in-command of 69 Bn CRPF Helal Firoz inaugurated the programme at Mantripukhri which was held under the supervision of CMO (NFSG) Dr BK Toppo and saw hundreds of children administered polio drops.

The 6/8 Gorkha Rifles, under the aegis of Red Shield Division, and PHC, Ningthoukhong also jointly organised a pulse polio camp at Ningthoukhong today during which a total of 145 children were provided polio drops.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Family Welfare Services complex, Devesh deval iterated that aim of the campaign is to free the future pillar of the nation from the scourge of polio.

Informing that no fresh polio case has been reported from any part of the country this year, Devesh Deval exhorted those involved in the country-wide campaign to continuously work for a polio-free society.

Polio drops being administered to a child

Recounting that a single case of polio infection was reported last year in West Bengal, he emphasised that health workers should contribute their mite in the combat for total eradication of the disease.

Speaking at the occasion, Family Welfare Services Director Dr L Joykumar said aim of the campaign this year is to cover 3,55,064 children in all the districts of Manipur in three days.

While the first day today would be administering of polio drops at different booths established for the purpose, the following two days will have health workers visit each and every house at various localities to provide polio drops to those children who missed out on the opening day of the campaign, declared the Director.

Additional Directors of the Family Welfare Services Dr L sukumar Singh and Dr W Gulapi Singh were also present at the inaugural programme.

It is informed that a total of 3551 booths were established throughout the State to provide polio drops to over 3.5 lakh children.

Maximum number of 669 booths were opened in Imphal West district while Moreh sub-division of Chandel district had 61 booths for the campaign.

In all 710 supervisors and 28,408 vaccinators were also engaged in the massive campaign.

At Netaji School, Moreh the 9 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector organised pulse polio immunisation camp wherein 134 girl child and 74 boys were administered polio drops.

Meanwhile, the 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector provided assistance to the local PHCs in smoothly conducting the pulse polio immunisation programme at Keithelmanbi, Khetrigao, Andro and Lilong areas while 26 Sector took the initiative for a similar campaign at Pallel areas.

The 23 AR and 42 AR also conducted the programme respectively at Shanshak and Chandel areas.

5/9 Gorkha Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division assisted civil health department in carrying out pulse polio immunisation at Gothal, Kwakta and Saiton villages.

Around 250 children were given pulse polio drops and medical officers of the Unit made people understand about the importance of pulse polio immunisation.

In Maram, 5 Assam Rifles organised pulse polio immunisation drive.

The programme was organised by SMO 5 AR Deputy Commandant T NK Ching assisted by Nb/Sub PK Choudhary of the Battalion alongwith a team of nursing assistants, said a press release issued by PIB (DW), added the press release.