Nagaland: IPPI 2020 launched across districts
Dimapur, January 19 (MExN): Along with the rest of the nation, Nagaland today observed Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) 2020 across the state. The immunization programme will continue for the next two days.
Dimapur: V Lovitoly Sema, ADC Dimapur launched the Polio Sunday by administering the first two drops of polio. Dr T Pangjung Sangtam, Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur delivered the keynote address stating that although in India, the last case of polio was recorded in 2011 and WHO had declared the country being declared Polio-Free since 2014, the Government of India continues to launch Polio programme to maintain the polio free status from India.
It continues to maintain a strict polio surveillance system as two of the neighboring countries are still Polio-endemic countries, said the CMO. He said that to vaccinate 43355 children of 0-5 years in Dimapur, 519 booths will be set up across the district with 2076 teams of vaccinators and 102 supervisors. Dr Rebecca Y Sema chaired the inaugural function and also delivered the welcome speech while Xetoli Assumi, LHV led the gathering in prayer. Other officials present during the IPPI launching function were Tsidi, EAC (Hq) Dimapur; Dr Antoly Suu, DCMO; Dr Benchilo, DTO; Dr Heto, ZLO; Dr Imtiwabong, DVBDO; Dr Lydia, AYUSH; Dr Sendongyanger, MO AYUSH, and staff under CMO Dimapur.
Kohima: The Polio National Immunization Day (NID) was launched at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) premises. A press release from the Chief Medical Officer, Kohima stated that launching of NID was chaired by Dr Ritu Thurr, State Immunizatio Officer, who mentioned that the target age group of 0-5 years will be covered in all 11 districts. He also highlighted that the state has setup 2274 polio booths with a total of 9096 frontline workers and 441 supervisors for the three days. The DC Thejawelie Gregory Sote in his speech said that like the past years, this immunization programme is being done to eradicate Polio for good. He mentioned that IPPI started in the year 1995 and shared his experience and coordination of all the stakeholders then and even today. He thanked the Medical department for carrying this exercise, and wished for successful implementation of the programme.
Mon: IPPI was launched in Mon at District Hospital under the theme “Let the victory over polio continue with two drops of life,” targeting 24461 children in the age group of 0-5yrs. In making sure not to miss out any children, 298 regular booths were set up covering 136 villages under Mon District. 70 Supervisors were assigned led by Dr Akaba Jamir, DY Director DH&FW Kohima. The youths of Konyak Baptist Church Mon (KBCM), Assam Rifles, GREF were also part of the team as volunteers by administering polio drops.
The inaugural programme started off with a word of prayer by Chaplin DH Mr David Konyak which was followed by welcome address by Dr Limatula Aier DVBO, Mon. Dr Akaba Jamir briefed on the history of how IPPI started. Special guest, DC Thavaseelan K, IAS elucidated on Polio by saying that though the disease has been eradicated from the country, it still remains a problem in some parts of the world. The programme was chaired by Dr Sashinle Tep DPO (UIP &RCH) and the first polio drops was administered by the DC to a new born baby at the hospital.
Wokha: IPPI programme was launched by Dr CW Tungoe, Chief Medical Officer, Wokha at CMO Office. Dr Tungoe while giving the keynote address, stressed on the importance of immunization. The district observed Polio Sunday to immunize 10,003 between 0 to 5 years target population to be covered by 200 IPPI booths which includes 30 hard-to-reach areas. Dr Tungoe administered the first drop of polio in the presence of Dy CMO, DPO (RCH/UIP), ZLO, beneficiaries and medical staff.
Zunheboto: IPPI launching programme was held at CMO office premises, Zunheboto district. Peter Lichamo, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Zunheboto inaugurated and administered the first Polio drop. The inaugural function was chaired by Vitoli, DPM. Dr Alemwapang Aier, DPO (RCH & UIP), CMO, Zunheboto gave the keynote address. The DC in his address stressed about the importance of vaccination and also emphasized on living a healthy living standard, stating that “we have to start from oneself.” He encouraged the parents and health workers to be an ambassador to create awareness about the different activities carried out by the medical department. The DC acknowledged the health workers for their hard work and services rendered to the society. Vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Khehokhu Chishi, CMO, Zunheboto. The district’s total target under 0-5 years was 7600 children and the total area, hard-to-reach and settlement areas to be covered was 222.
