DIMAPUR, JANUARY 17 (MExN): The various districts in Nagaland state along with the rest of India conducted the first round of the Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization on January 7.
DIMAPUR
Launching the programme in Dimapur, Deputy Commissioner, Kesonyu Yhome administered the first dose of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). In a brief programme held at the District Hospital Complex, Kesonyu said that election and Polio were the two biggest national projects in India and felt that IPPI was not only a project concerning only the Department of H&FW but felt that every right thinking citizen of India has a responsibility to contribute towards the programme.
"As a District Collector I am honored to be a part of this noble programme", he expressed and administered the first drop of Oral Polio Vaccine(OPV) to a child at Dimapur District hospital and thereby launched the first round of IPPI programme at Dimapur.
Dimapur District has a population of 3,79,769 with 14% of the population(53,167) falling under the category of 0-5 years. A total of 512 booths across the district have been set up and manned by 102 supervisors and 2048 health workers during the conduct of the first round of IPPI at Dimapur District. The second round of IPPI would be conducted on February 21. Further, the Lions and Leo Club of Dimapur also covered 140 children for the first phase of IPPI.
KOHIMA
At the State capital Kohima, Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Nandira Changkija administered the first Polio drops. Rovilatuo Mor, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima and State Officials from the Health & Family Welfare department graced the inaugural function at the premise of the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, (NHAK).
At the inaugural speech Dr. Visase-u Kire, State Programme officer (UIP) welcomed the officials and parents gathered at the function. She stated that IPPI has been a regular activity with a goal to eradicate polio in the country. The country would be free from Polio with collective support from the citizens Kire added.
In the District, 240 Polio booths were set up to give coverage to a target of 37,808 children of five years and below. Mobile Polio teams on IPPI would be visiting Transit points especially bus stations and taxi stands in the district for the next two days.
TUENSANG
In Tuensang, the 1st round Pulse Polio was launched by the Deputy Commissioner in the presence of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr.T.Pangjung Sangtam and Dr. Temsu Longchar DPO (UIP & RCH) Tuensang . The programme was held at Tower Clock junction Tuensang Town. The Department has opened 230 Booths, with 46 Supervisors and 1,280 vaccinators in all the blocks, to cover over 27,552 estimated children aged from 0-5 years. The Chief Medical Officer appreciated and thanked the Deputy Commissioner and public of Tuensang for their cooperation.
MON
Meanwhile, in Mon, the drive was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner, Honjee Konyak at the District Hospital. Speaking at the inaugural programme, the DC said that any kind of diseases that the world or the concerned department is worried about, are more prone to happen in the “backward areas.”
He stated that as such, Mon has a high probability for polio occurrence. In this connection, the DC emphasized on the intensification of the awareness campaign in order to have a full immunization coverage and not to miss out any children under five. He also congratulated the parents for bringing their children to the IPPI booth and requested them to avail the free service.
The polio drops were administered through 300 booths identified at all the 6 blocks i.e Aboi, Wakching, Phomching, Tizit, Tobu and Mon. Besides, transit booths have been set up near important bus stations, market areas and all the wards. 1200 volunteers were mobilized to administer Polio drops, with the Konyak Baptist Church and Mon youths also a part of the team. Further, a total of 60 supervisors were assigned.
KIPHIRE
In Kiphire, the first polio drop was administered by Dr. Tinojongshi Chang (ADC Kiphire) in Kiphire Village. The first phase will be carried out till January 19, 2016 with the first day focussed on booth activity and the following two days on house to house visitations.
At the launch, Dr. Rebecca Y Sema, DPO (RCH&UIP) gave a health talk and told those present of how important these two drops are. She appealed to all parents to make sure that the children receive the polio drops and requested the concerned citizens to mobilize all children 0-5 years to avail the polio drops.
Along with the IPPI launch, Baby Show was organized at Kiphire Village and Longthonger Village. The participants were judged based on their weight, cleanliness and immunization. Altogether, 19 babies (under 1 year) participated out of which Atsavi Sangtam (Kiphire Village) and Ketali (Longthonger Village) were declared the winners.
PEREN
In Peren, the drive was held at District Hospital, Peren with Additional Deputy Commissioner, Smti Tianu as the Chief Guest administering the first polio drop. Dr. Tiala, Dy. CMO chaired the program and the key note address was delivered by Dr. Khrielasanuo, DPO RCH/UIP. Officials from Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima, Dr. Khriesatuo Deputy Director NHM came as observer for Peren District.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Khrielasanuo mentioned that though the population is less, the area to be covered is more and thus making it difficult for health workers for coverage. She expressed her sincere appreciation and thanked everyone for their dedication and support in carrying out the task.
Altogether, there are 420 volunteers, 106 villages, 6 towns, 3 transit, and 10 migratory population sites with a total of 155 booths. With the motive to reach out to every household, teams were divided involving health workers, Police department, 18 Assam rifles, Anganwadi worker, ASHA’s of every village were sent out to every part of the District ensuring that no child is missed out. The house to house visits will continue thereafter till January 19. The target population 0-5 years for Peren District is 13,293. The booth coverage so far i.e. on January 17, 2016 for Peren District is 7171.
PHEK
In Phek, the first polio drops were administered by DC Murohu Chotso at District Hospital Phek. 45 Polio booths were set up in all the colonies. In order to give complete immunization to all the children, house to house visitation will be done for two days, to track those children who missed out on the Polio drops on January 17.
