Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 13: Around 20 lakh children of 0-5 years age would be given pulse polio drops on January 19, the first round of pulse polio campaign of this year in the State. Health Department has kept available over 25 lakh pulse polio doses (vaccines) at hospitals and designated booths across the State.
To make the anti- polio drive successful by achieving cent percent targets 11400 booths are being setup in the State which would be manned by 23000 paramedics, 2300 supervisory staff besides the staff of other departments on the day.
In this regard, the Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan reviewed the preparations made by the Family Welfare Department for successful conduct of pulse polio drive at a meeting here today.
Director Family Welfare, Dr. Baldiv apprised the Minister about the preparations made for successful conduct of pulse polio campaign in the State. He said besides setting up of designated booths mobile and transit teams would ensure administering of anti-polio drops to left out children for another two days.
The Minister said that with the constant efforts of the employees of Health Department and massive support of the society, no fresh polio case has been reported from any part of the State during the past couple of years. He cautioned against any let up in the campaign to deal with this dreaded disease.
Emphasizing on stepping up the mass awareness campaign through different mediums in the shape of a strong movement against the dreaded diseases like Polio, HIV /AIDS and Cancer, the Minister said that such diseases weaken the socio-economic conditions of the people and need of the hour is to make collective efforts to get rid of these dangerous diseases.
He called for active involvement of cross sections of the society, including media, social organizations and educational institutions. He said Government has been making best efforts to make the State Polio and HIV/AIDS-free, but it is not possible without the active support and contribution of the society.
Shabir said that special attention should be paid to sensitive areas like slums, isolated hutments, brick kilns, floating or migrating population and construction sites so that no child is left uncovered in these areas.
Sounding a note of caution for young parents, the Health Minister advised, “Once couples become parents, they should be aware about the vaccination schedules and take their respective children to get immunized on time against the deadly diseases including polio.”
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel