Polio immunisation drive held across Nagaland

DIMAPUR, JANUARY 31 (MExN): The Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation was carried out across Nagaland by the State Health Department on January 31. 

Health personnel administered polio drops to all eligible children from 0-5 years throughout the state in 2,206 polio booths manned by 9,096 health personnel and 441 supervisors along with vaccines and other logistics.

Dimapur
In Dimapur, the first two drops of polio were administered by Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner during a brief launching programme held at CMO’s Office Dimapur.

519 booths across the district were set up to administer polio drops to 43,355 children between the ages of 0-5 years in the district. House to house polio vaccination will also be carried out the rest of the week to immunize children who were missed today.  

Dr. Rebecca, District Programme Officer, RCH/UIP stated that although  India has been declared “polio free” since 2014 and the last case of polio was recorded in 2011, the Government of India continues to launch Polio Program to maintain the polio eradication from the country as few neighbouring countries are yet to eradicate polio. Thus, India continues a strict polio surveillance system to maintain its ‘polio-free’ status. 

Other officials present during the programme include Dr Mereninla Senlem, CMO Dimapur; Dr Antoly Swu, Dy CMO; Dr Benchilo, DTO; Dr Heto, ZLO; Dr Kheshika; Dr Sendongyanger, MO (AYUSH); Rajesh Monsang, PO, UNDP, and staff under CMO office and MS office establishments. 

Mokokchung 
224 polio booths were set up in Mokokchung with a target to immunise 7,982 beneficiaries. 

The programme was officially launched by Dharan Raj, IAS, SDO (C) Mokokchung who also administered the first polio drop. 

Dr Kibangkumba, Deputy CMO informed that in 1995 following the global polio eradication initiative of the WHO, India launched the IPPI with universal immunization programme which aimed at 100% coverage to all children between 0-5 years. He also stated that misleading rumours on COVID-19 and vaccination should not be believed.

Dr Ayangla Saku, DPO (UIP & RCH), who chaired the program welcomed the officials and parents and also added that the health workers and the volunteers will carry on with house to house visitation on February 1 and 2 for those missed out.

Longleng
In Longleng the National Immunization Day 2021 was launched by the Deputy Commissioner, M Shayung Phom by administering first polio drops to a child at NST junction.

The Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and President of Phomla Hoichen spoke and exhorted the gathering at the launching program. Dr Imnameren Phom, DPO (CRCH/UIP) Longleng proposed the keynote address while welcome address was delivered by Dr Obangjungla CMO, Longleng. Invocation was pronounced by Pastor Gorkha Baptist Church and the program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Philip Kent, Deputy CMO, Longleng.

Mon
Health officials in Mon set up 299 regular booths covering 137 villages under Mon District. 70 supervisors were assigned led by Dr Leamnyei Konyak, State Level Monitor. 

The inaugural programme started off with a word of prayer by Chaplin, District Hospital, David Konyak which was followed by a welcome address by Dr Limatula Ao, Deputy CMO. Dr Leamnyei Konyak said that even though Polio has been eradicated from the country, it still remains a problem in some parts of the world. He meanwhile thanked the medical personnel in the district and the Mon DC, Thavaseelan K, IAS for the remarkable support and dedication towards the department.

The first polio drops were administered by the DC to a new born baby. The programme was chaired by Dr Shasinle Tep, DPO (UIP&RCH) and she also gave the vote of thanks. 

Phek
The campaign was launched in Phek at the district hospital. The district has set up 205 polio booths with a target to vaccinate 12,667 children.

At the launching program, Dr Kolhitso Khalo, District Immunization Officer (DIO), Phek briefed the gathering on the Polio eradication program and acknowledged the contribution of the Churches, NGOs and volunteers towards the success of polio elimination.

Earlier the program started with an invocation by Rev T Alem, Pastor of Ao Baptist Church Phek Town.

Prior to launching day, Information Education Communication (IEC) activities in the form of banners and posters were put up in public places. Miking was carried out in all the prominent places at the district headquarter. Church platforms were also utilized to disseminate the information and seek support.

Zunheboto
Hito Sema, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto inaugurated and administered the first polio drop in the district. 
The inaugural function was chaired by Vitoli, DPM. Dr M Nukshisangla Jamir, DPO (RCH & UIP), CMO, Zunheboto gave the keynote address. 

In his address, Hito Sema, ADC stressed about the importance of vaccination. He motivated the parents and health workers to create awareness about the different activities carried out by the Medical Department. 

Vechulo Duolo, Pastor, Tenyimi Church, Zunheboto invoked God's blessings. Vote of thanks was delivered by Valerie Kiba, BPM, Zunheboto Sadar. Zunheboto’s total vaccination target is 8495 children having set up 233.

Wokha 
The programme in Wokha was launched by Deputy Commissioner Orenthung Lotha at Chief Medical Officer’s office Wokha on January 31. Addressing the beneficiaries at the launching programme, Orenthung Lotha stated that unlike other vaccines, polio consist of only two oral drops which immunized a child from polio virus. 

Chief Medical Officer Wokha, Dr CW Tungoe called upon the health care workers to reach the target of 11,337 in the district and also follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour during IPPI activities. A total of 200 polio booths have been set up across the district. 

The Wokha DC later administered the first two drops of polio vaccine in the presence of CMO, Deputy CMO, ZLO, beneficiaries and medical staffs.

Peren
Dr Kiholi Assumi, DPO, UIP/RCH administered the first polio drop at CHC Jalukie.     Altogether 552 volunteers, 138 booths, 22 Supervisor are involved in carrying out the tasks in the District. 

Teams were divided involving health workers, Anganwadi worker, ASHAs of every village and sent out to every part of the district ensuring that no child is missed out. The drive also saw involvement of the 36 Assam Rifles covering Samzuiram, Lilen, Phaijol, Phangjang, Jalukieram villages under Jalukie block and Ngualong and Bamsai villages under Tening Block.