Kohima, January 19: Along with the rest of the country, Kohima organized Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) on January 19, Sunday. It was officially launched by ADC Kohima, Asangla Imti, who also administered the first polio drops, at a small function organized in the premises of Booth No. 42, Lower Chandmari junction.
Welcoming the officials and parents gathered, Dr. Avile Zao, District Programme Officer (RCH-UIP) stated that with the efforts of health workers and the support of people, the country has been polio free for the last two years. She also added that by 2015 the country would be completely polio free if people maintain or sustain this level of dedication and support. A press release stated that IPPI has been regular activity with a goal to eradicate polio in the country since 1995. Mobile Polio Teams on IPPI would be visiting Transit Points, especially bus and railway stations and taxi stands all over the state for the next two days. The house to house visit will be held on January 20 and 21, the note added.
Peren: The first round of IPPI 2014 successfully started in Peren district on January 19 with an inaugural function at District Hospital, Peren. With the target to immunize 13,293 children and also to prevent import of Polio in the district, Polio drops will be administered through 157 Polio booths and 3 Mobile units. Further, in order to make sure that not even a single child falling between the age group of 0-5 years is left unimmunized, the health workers and the volunteers will carry on with house to house coverage on January 20 and 21, a release said.
During the inaugural function, Albert Ezung SDO(C), Peren who administered the first Polio drops of the district, briefed about how IPPI has come a long way since 1996 when Global Polio Eradication Programme was launched and is now one of the most successful programmes. As per report, around 2 lakhs children were crippled every year in the world with Polio and India had half of these children. But, as a result of the success of IPPI now, India has been declared Polio free and in this regard, he congratulated the district medical department led by the Chief Medical Officer and all the District Programme Officers for their commendable job in contributing to declaration of India as a Polio free country.
Mokokchung: Mokokchung joined the nationwide fight to eradicate the crippling childhood disease polio on January 19 with 198 booths around the district. During a brief programme held at Imlong place here, Dr. Limatula Aier, DPO RCH& UIP highlighted on the importance of immunization of children from 0-5 yrs of age.
Addl. SP Mokokchung, Yanren Ngullie encouraged the volunteers to be more responsible and dedicated in their assigned duties. Officers from the Health Department, Administration, and Police Department have been mobilized to supervise the success of the programme throughout the district.
Altogether 800 personnel comprising of health workers, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, volunteers from Rotary Club Mokokchung, IRCS Mokokchung and youth volunteers from across the district are participating in the first phase of IPPI, informed a press release. Health workers and volunteers would also be conducting house to house visits to cover those children who could not receive the polio drops on Sunday.
Mon: In Mon, the IPPI inaugural function was held at District Hospital, Mon on Sunday with CMO, Mon Dr U.K Konyak, gracing the programme as the chief guest, who also administered the first polio drops. According to a press release, Dr Supongmenla DPO (UIP&RCH) during the function said, “India celebrates three years since its last case of polio, despite once being considered the most challenging place to end the disease.” However, he added, “We still need to stay alert and sensitize the public on the importance of immunization.”
Phek: District Health Society Phek also observed Polio Sunday on January 19 at District Hospital Phek. A press release informed that Neposo Theluo, Deputy Commissioner Phek administered the first Polio drops to Yevelu Swuro, 5 months old, in the presence of CMO Phek Dr. Kevichusa, Dy.CMO Dr. Ritu Thurr, Dr. Neisakho DPO (NVBDCP) & DPO (RCH & UIP) Dr. Hezo. Dr. Kevichusa, CMO also gave a brief message on the importance of Polio immunization.
