Over 19 lakh children covered in 2nd round of Pulse polio-Immunization in J&K

Jammu /Srinagar, February 7 (Scoop News) -Carrying forward the prestigious National Pulse Polio Immunization Programme  in the J&K State, Minister for Health,  Sham Lal Sharma today launched the second round of campaign by administering Pulse Polio drops to the children at Primary Health Centre, Kote Bhalwal in Jammu. 

             Director Family Welfare, Dr. Kulbushan Pandotra, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Jasbir Singh, CMO, Jammu, Dr. Shahid Moghal, doctors, para-medical staff, prominent citizens of the area were present on the occasion.

            Seeking people’s support in making this programme a total success, the Minister said that “we have to create massive awareness among the masses especially in rural areas to educate them about the timely vaccinations the keep the children free from the dreaded diseases like Polio, Diphtheria, Measles, Tetanus, Whooping Cough and Tuberculosis etc”. He said that diseases can strike, irrespective of religion, caste or creed, rich or poor, and we have to ensure that every child below the age of 5 years, including neo-natal  get the polio drops. All these vaccinations including polio drops are given free at all Government Health Institutions across the State, said  Sharma.

            The Minister stressed upon the doctors, para-medical staff and others  associated with the Pulse Polio Immunization Campaign to reach out to each child and make a minute monitoring to ensure that no child is left out without this essential immunization. He lauded the efforts of doctors, para-medics, social organizations, NGOs, para-military forces for their tireless efforts in this noble cause.

            Giving details about the arrangements made for today’s campaign, the Minister said that Health Department has established 10516 Polio Booths, deployed 42064 workers and 2305 supervisors across the State. Besides, the Department has distributed over 24 lakh Polio Vaccines for the second round of the Campaign to cover over 19 lakh children. First round of the Campaign was held in January this year which achieved hundred per cent targets, said  Sharma.

            MLA  Bharat Bhushan also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Minister for launching the Pulse Polio Campaign from the Kote Bhalwal. He put forth various demands pertaining to the Health Department which include upgradation of Primary Health Centre (PHC), Kote Bhalwal as Sub-District Hospital, establishing of Health Sub Centres at Marjali and Gurah Patan, augmentation of power supply and an additional Ambulance.

            The Minister assured that all genuine demands would be looked into sympathetically and appropriate action taken in due course of time.

In Kashmir division including Leh and Kargil districts,1067340 children between the age group of 0-5 years were covered under Pulse Polio Immunization Programme. The Health department had arranged 5489 PP booths with 21956 workers of Health and Social Welfare departments to achieve the target.

            The drive was launched from Sub-District Hospital, Ompora, Budgam by Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Mohammad Amin Wani by administering a polio drops to a new born baby.

            The Director Health Services said that additional polio booths were established at Railway Station, Airport besides surrounding areas of Dal Lake.

            The Director Health Services, later, appreciated the Information Department and other media including Radio and Doordarshan for extending full support to the department in making this programme successful.

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