The Pulse Polio Immunization Programme (IPPI) was today launched across Kashmir valley in which thousands of children under the age of 5 years were administered polio drops at pulse polio centres being set up by the administration at various locations in the valley.The theme of this year’s Pulse Polio Immunization Programme is ‘Let’s make efforts today and Ensure Polio stays away’.The programme would be conducted for three consecutive days to safeguard the children from this crippling disease.District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone started the campaign at Urban Primary Health Centre, Batmaloo. More than 1,77,000 children would be covered under the programme in the district for which 3,000 employees and volunteers have been deputed in 645 pulse-polio booths.In order to ensure that cent per cent target is achieved in next two-days of the programme, the District Development Commissioner directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to constitute mobile teams for conducting door-to-door surveys in the district.
At Budgam, District Development Commissioner, Mir Altaf Ahmad kicked-off pulse polio immunization drive at district hospital. About 1,00,500 children are being targeted in the district for which 2,252 workers and volunteers have been deployed at 563 booths including six transit teams.At Ganderbal, District Development Commissioner, Showkat Aijaz Bhat gave oral polio vaccine to a baby in district hospital. Approximately 40,698 children were covered under this programme and 227 vaccination booths have been set up for the purpose besides 957 employees were deputed for the immunization programme.At Anantnag, District Development Commissioner, Muneer-ul-Islam launched the drive with an aim to eradicate the disease from the district by administering drops to children at Maternity hospital Shaer-bagh in which 1,34,229 would be immunized. For successful conduct of the drive, 2,468 employees including health workers, ASHA workers, Anganwari workers and teachers have been deployed at 617 booths.At Pulwama and Shopian, the immunization drive was launched by Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts.Niraj Kumar inaugurated the IPPI campaign at old district hospital Pulwama while as Deputy Commissioner Shopian, G M Dar administered polio drops to children at district hospital. About 85,979 children are being covered under the programme in Pulwama for which 1,780 personnel of health department have been deployed at 445 booths.More than 42,520 children would be covered under the programme in Shopian for which 855 personnel have been deployed at 215 pulse polio centres.
At Baramulla, District Development Commissioner Yasha Mudgal inaugurated the three day IPPI by administering the oral vaccine to a baby in the district hospital. A total of 1,54,190 children would be immunized in the district for which 3,380 members including volunteers were deputed at 845 vaccination booths. About 169 persons supervised the 1690 teams for the purpose.At Bandipora, District Development Commissioner Sajad Hussain inaugurated the drive at district hospital in which 60,459 children would be covered in the drive for which 1,300 employees have been deputed at 325 polio centres.
In far-flung tehsil of Gurez, the immunization drive was launched by Tehsildar Gurez at Sub-district hospital Dawar. About 204 employees have been deployed at 51 booths to administer the polio dose to about 5,075 children. At Leh, Executive Councillor, Agriculture Tsering Angdus inaugurated the programme at District Immunization Centre.
A total target of 1,19,72 children would be covered in immunization campaign for which 1500 paramedic, ICDS workers, ASHAs and 75 supervisors are deployed at 377 pulse polio booths. About 18 mobile teams and 10 transit camps have also established in the district.At Kupwara, District Development Commissioner, Kumar Rajive Ranjan administered polio doses to some new born infants. For the immunization of 134405 children in the district, 3016 employees have been deployed at 720 Pulse Polio centres.At Kulgam, Additional District Development Commissioner, Mushtaq Ahmad inaugurated the campaign at district hospital.The district’s target for IPPI is 91546 children between the age group of 0-5years that will be covered through 505 pulse polio booths by employing the services of 2020 workers.