Date:10/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/10/stories/2003021001440800.htm

National

Polio immunisation programme to be intensified further

New Delhi Feb. 9. Expressing concern over resurgence of polio in some parts of the country, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sushma Swaraj, today said the National Pulse Polio Immunisation programme would be intensified over the next two years to ensure that no child was left uncovered.

Launching the second round of the programme here, she said it was the largest-ever social mobilisation of families through community workers and health personnel across the country.

Drawing attention to the resurgence of polio cases in the country, the Minister said it was a matter of concern that such instances were more visible in progressive States rather than the backward States.

In order to tackle the polio, Ms. Swaraj said the programme would be intensified through increased emphasis on community and neighbourhood participation, door-to-door campaigns and extended duration of polio immunisation camps and awareness programmes.

She said it was important for parents to come forward and help the Government in its efforts to ensure that no child was left uncovered by the programme.

The Minister said the countrywide coverage in the polio administration drops has seen an increase of over 10 lakh children in the last round held in January as compared to last year.

An estimated 16.4 crores children were administered polio drops in January in different States whereby house-to-house drops were administered.

Ms. Swaraj said that special immunisation rounds were also held in high-risk States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and some pockets in Maharashtra, Jharkand, West Bengal and Haryana in September and November last year in which about six crore children were administered polio drops.

Others present on the occasion included the Delhi Health Minister, A. K. Walia, and Vijay Malhotra, MP.

— PTI