Srinagar, December 21 – Under National Pulse Polio Immunization Programme (PPIP), about 9,95,782 children up to five years of age were administered polio drops by the Health department across the Kashmir Valley on Sunday.
Offical spokesman said that the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme drive was launched by District Development Commissioner, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo and Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad by giving polio drops to newly born babies at Gousia Hospital, in Srinagar district.. Senior officers of Health Department were present on the occasion.
At Budgam, District Development Commissioner Mohammad Rafi launched the campaign by administering polio drops to a 3 day old baby at District Hospital, Budgam.
It was given out that to ensure successful implementation of the PPIP, 5270 PPI booths had been set up, which were manned by 21,080 employees drawn from Health and Social Welfare departments. Besides, 1054 Supervisory members had been deployed to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
On the occasion, Director Health Services said that adequate arrangements are in place to facilitate administration of drops to the children living in far flung areas like Telal, Gurez and Uri. He said not a single case of polio has been reported in the Valley during last eight years.
1,15,483 children were administered polio drops at 530 centers set up for the purpose in Anantnag district,. As many as 2,120 employees of various departments were put on duty.
1,14,577 children in Srinagar district,, 90,432 children In Kulgam and 48,495 children in Shopian were given polio drops. Similarly, in Baramulla district 1,57,180 children, in Ganderbal 64,450, in Budgam 1,19,903, in Bandipora 52,770, in Kupwara 1,24,881, in Kargil 16,800 and in Leh district 11,883 children were administered polio drops. The Health department had made adequate arrangements for the successful implementation of the programme.