A total of 2,206 Polio Booths were set up across Nagaland with the aim of administering pulse polio vaccination to an estimated 1, 51,458 children between 0-5 years of age on February 27.
Dimapur, February 27 (MExN): With the aim of administering pulse polio vaccination to an estimated 1, 51,458 children between 0-5 years of age, Nagaland launched an Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) drive across the state on Sunday.
Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao officially launched the state-level National Immunisation day at Urban Primary Health Centre, Seikhazou in Kohima. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Khimiao said polio immunisation drive has brought about changes in the lives of millions of people in the country by eradicating the poliovirus from the country.
A total of 2,206 Polio Booths has been set up in the state manned by 9,096 health personnel and 441 supervisors along with vaccines and other logistics, while special focus is given to migrant population with an aim to prevent importation of Polio cases.
The day’s IPPI campaign will be followed by house-to-house visitation on February 28 and March 1.
Dimapur: Additional Deputy Commissioner Temsuwati Longkumer administered the first two drops of polio vaccine to a beneficiary and launched the drive in Dimapur district. He appreciated the efforts of the department, NGOs, local bodies, ASHAs and AWWs for continuously motivating and mobilizing the public, he urged them to continue their work towards immunising and protecting children not only from polio but also from other deadly diseases.
During the inaugural function, Dr Rebecca, District Programme Officer, UIP/, stated that India had the last case of polio in 2011 and in 2014 India was certified as ‘Polio Free’ by the World Health Organization. However, the IPPI is still carried out every year in order to maintain the ‘Polio Free’ status, as the neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan are still polio endemic countries.
She informed that 530 booths were set up across the district for Booth Day (Sunday) and health workers would continue to reach out through house-to-house visits and immunise children who were left out.
Kiphire: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of the 11 Wards in Kiphire town volunteered to cover 11 immunisation booths to administer polio drops to the beneficiaries under the supervision of medical staff. Kiphire district has targeted to cover 134 booths during the IPPI campaign covering all the health units and villages under the district, a press release informed.
Mokokchung: Launching the immunisation drive at Imlong Place in Mokokchung, ADC Shashank Pratap Singh said that the two drops of polio vaccine should be administered to all children below the age of 5, am update from the Mokokchung Chief Medical Officer’s establishment informed.
Singh also said that though India is a polio-free country, there is a high risk of transferring the poliovirus from neighbouring countries where polio disease is still very active. He congratulated the Department of Health & Family Welfare and allied Departments for the successful launching of IPPI in the district.
According to the release, Dy CMO Dr Aonungdok highlighted on the global polio eradication initiative of the WHO which began in 1995 and the polio status of India while Dr Ayangla Saku, DPO (UIP & RCH), informed that Mokokchung district is targeting to immunise 7,406 children through 224 booths across the district.
Mon: The immunisation target in Mon district stood at 25,798 which will be covered through 302 regular booths spread across 137 villages and 43 hard-to-reach areas in the district. Children who did not receive the vaccine drops on Sunday would be immunised during the two-day house visit campaign on February 28 and March 1.
The inaugural programme for the district which was conducted at the Mon District Hospital, started off with a word of prayer by Chaplain David Konyak which was followed by a welcome address by Mon DVBO Dr Lolekhol Pucho.
As per a press release, Dr Asangla Jamir, Dy Director & Nodal Officer, NSAC State Monitor, congratulated all the health care workers for their hard work and encouraged them to sustain their work. She also thanked the parents of the children for accepting the vaccine and requested them to continue to support the routine immunisation programme and to acknowledge the importance of vaccines. Subsequently, the first polio drops were administered by Medical Superintendent Dr Hoito Sumi.
The release also stated that campaign in Mon Town was carried out by Youth Department, Konyak Baptist Church Mon (KBCM)
Phek: Reminding health workers and volunteers to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour while manning the booths and conducting house visits, Phek District Immunisation Officer (DIO) Dr Kolhitso Khalo said the district has set a target to administer the vaccine to 12,000 children in the age group of 0 to 5 years.
Altogether 195 Polio booths have been set up across the district with special focus in hard-to-reach areas along the Indo-Mynmar border, he said, adding that a total of 770 staff and volunteers have been deployed to carry out the activities.
Shamator: In the state’s newest district of Shamator, Deputy Commissioner Thsuvisie Phoji and Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar along with medical staff, vaccinated children under 5 years of age and spread awareness among the participants, the DIPR reported.
It said that Medical Officer Dr Mhathung thanked the DC and SP for the encouragement while adding that the immunisation was held at PHC Shamator and in all health centres across the district.
Wokha: Joint Director of Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland Dr Meribeni Odyuo administered the first drops of polio vaccine to a beneficiary in the presence of Wokha CMO Dr Tumchobeni at the CMO office.
Deputy CMO Dr Zuben Kikon encouraged the beneficiaries to avail the vaccine to prevent Poliomyelitis. He informed that 41 polio booths were set up in Wokha town and health workers are ensuring to reach out to more than 12,219 beneficiaries from the age group of 0 to 5 years.
Zunheboto: According to a press release from the DMO, Zunheboto, ADC Moakumzuk Tzudir launched the IPPI programme and administered the first polio drops in the district. He encouraged the parents to come forward to create awareness as this immunisation programme is being held to eradicate Polio for good.
The release stated that DTO & DPO (UIP & RCH) Dr Y Aron Muru delivered a keynote address highlighting India’s Polio-free status and the importance of continuing immunisation. It said that CMO Dr Zathung Lotha, Dy CMO Dr K Akaho Sema, DVBO/DSO Dr J Hokugha as well as Dr Muru volunteered and administered polio drops to the beneficiaries.
Rosy Kinny (Nodal Officer Red Ribbon Club) along with the members from Zunheboto Government College were also part of the team as volunteers. The immunisation programme will continue for the next three days, the release stated.
