Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo kick-started the Pulse Polio campaign across Jammu and Kashmir from Jammu by inaugurating National Immunization Day (Polio Day) at Government Hospital Gandhinagar here today.
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The campaign was inaugurated by Health Minister while personally administering Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops to toddlers and children, symbolically marking the beginning of campaign across Jammu and Kashmir and symbolizing the commitment of the Government towards safeguarding the health of future generations.
Addressing the gathering, Minister emphasized on the critical role of routine immunization and community participation in maintaining J&K’s polio-free status. She urged parents and guardians to actively cooperate with healthcare workers and ensure that every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine during the campaign.
She reiterated the Government’s unwavering resolve to protect child health and to sustain India’s Polio-Free status through sustained vigilance and robust immunization efforts. She emphasized that no child under five years of age should be left unvaccinated, and called for active participation from parents, frontline health workers, community leaders and all stakeholders to ensure universal coverage.
The Minister highlighted that the Health Department is working efficiently under this campaign and achieved polio free status for J&K. She lauded the efforts of frontline health workers, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, volunteers, and district health teams for their tireless dedication in reaching every household, including those in far-flung and vulnerable areas.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Vikram Randhawa said that National Immunization Day (Polio) Campaign forms a key component of the government’s public health strategy to protect future generations and strengthen disease prevention measures across Jammu and Kashmir.
In his address, Secretary Health, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed said that this day is very important for maintaining the status of Polio free India, which our country achieved in the year 2014.
CEO State Health Agency, Ananth Dwivedi; Mission Director ICDS, Sajad Hussain Ganai; Commissioner Food and Drug Administration, Smita Sethi; Director Family Welfare and Immunization, Dr. Poonam Sethi; Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar; doctors, paramedical staff, healthcare professionals and large number of locals and children were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, J&K recorded a strong turnout on the first day of the National Immunization Day (NID) Pulse Polio campaign, with 1,755,401 children aged 0-5 years vaccinated, achieving 88 percent coverage of the estimated 1,985,736 target population.
Officials said 10,893 vaccination booths were deployed, along with 42,564 health workers and volunteers, 256 transit vaccination points, and 520 mobile teams to reach children across the Union Territory.
Jammu district, with the highest target of over 2.22 lakh children, recorded 84 percent coverage on Day 1. Srinagar vaccinated 96 percent of its 1.99 lakh target, leading the Union Territory.
It was followed by Anantnag at 94 percent of 1.47 lakh children, Ganderbal 94 percent of 48,473, Pulwama 94 percent of 93,567, and Baramulla 86 percent of 1.63 lakh.
Other districts recorded Day 1 coverage as, Kupwara 91 percent of 1.40 lakh, Shopian 86 percent of 42,824, Bandipora 86 percent of the estimated 88,000, Kulgam 90 percent of 87,605, Rajouri 77 percent of 1.10 lakh, Poonch 77 percent of 82,077, Ramban 91 percent of 55,000, Reasi 79 percent of 58,000, Udhampur 81 percent of 87,724, Kathua 83 percent of 1.02 lakh, Samba 88 percent of 48,170, and Kishtwar 82 percent of 39,729. In Ladakh, Kargil vaccinated 91 percent of 14,832 children, while Leh reached 89 percent of 9,614.
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