Dimapur, February 21 (MExN): The second round of Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) for 2016 was launched across all the districts of Nagaland today, February 21 with an aim to immunize children (0 to 5 years) with polio vaccine.
In Dimapur district, the programme was launched by Dr. MA Wati, Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur by administering the first two drops of polio at the inaugural function held at District Hospital. During the programme, Dr. Lanuakum, District Programme Officer, RCH-UIP emphasized on the importance of immunization and urged the public to immunize their children and protect them from childhood illnesses. In the district, the targeted population is 53167 (0-5 years) children. 512 booths have been setup and 2048 staff and volunteers have been assigned to carry out the activity. House to house coverage will also be carried out in the following week, according to a press release.
Kohima: The immunization programme was also held in Kohima district. A press release received here informed that frontline workers will be visiting houses on February 22 and 23 to immunize those children who missed out on the booth day. Stating that IPPI has been a regular activity with a goal to eradicate polio in the country with collective support from the citizen, the release requested all parents, community leaders, women representatives and ward chairmen to mobilize the children to avail polio vaccine. Mobile Polio teams will also visit transit points, especially bus stations, taxi stands, market places and schools in the district for the next two days.
Peren: In Peren district, 7234 children were administered polio drops on the booth day of the second round of IPPI on February 21, while the target population is 13,293. Officials from Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima, Dr. John Kemp, State Surveillance Officer, IDSP along with his team came as observers for the programme. The whole operation was monitored by supervisors comprising Dy. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tiala Longkumer, District Program Officers, UIP/RCH, Dr. Khrielasanuo and Medical Officers in their respective block. Altogether, there are 420 volunteers, 106 villages, 6 towns, 3 transit, and 11 migratory population sites with a total of 155 booths, a press release from District Media Officer, CMO office, Peren informed. With the motive to reach out to every household, teams were divided and sent out to every part of the district ensuring that no child is missed out, it added. The house to house visits will continue till February 23.
Tuensang: Tuensang District Health Society conducted the second round of IPPI in Tuensang district, where 1,250 vaccinators, 46 supervisors were mobilised in all the eight blocks of the district to cover over 27,552 estimated children below 5 years. It also organised 240 polio booths in the district. Dr Pangjung Sangtam, Chief Medical Officer, Tuensang and Dr. Temsu Longchar, DPO (UIP&RCH) launched the campaign in the district.
