SRINAGAR: The Pulse Polio Immunization Programme (IPPI) was today launched across Kashmir valley in which thousands of children under the age of 5 years were administered polio drops at pulse polio centres being set up by the administration at various locations in the valley.
The theme of this year’s Pulse Polio Immunization Programme is ‘Let’s make efforts today and Ensure Polio stays away’.
The programme would be conducted for three consecutive days to safeguard the children from this crippling disease.
District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone started the campaign at Urban Primary Health Centre, Batmaloo.
More than 1,77,000 children would be covered under the programme in the district for which 3,000 employees and volunteers have been deputed in 645 pulse-polio booths.
In order to ensure that cent per cent target is achieved in next two-days of the programme, the District Development Commissioner directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to constitute mobile teams for conducting door-to-door surveys in the district.
At Budgam, District Development Commissioner, Mir Altaf Ahmad kicked-off pulse polio immunization drive at district hospital. About 1,00,500 children are being targeted in the district for which 2,252 workers and volunteers have been deployed at 563 booths including six transit teams.
At Ganderbal, District Development Commissioner, Showkat Aijaz Bhat gave oral polio vaccine to a baby in district hospital. Approximately 40,698 children were covered under this programme and 227 vaccination booths have been set up for the purpose besides 957 employees were deputed for the immunization programme.
At Anantnag, District Development Commissioner, Muneer-ul-Islam launched the drive with an aim to eradicate the disease from the district by administering drops to children at Maternity hospital Shaer-bagh in which 1,34,229 would be immunized. For successful conduct of the drive, 2,468 employees including health workers, ASHA workers, Anganwari workers and teachers have been deployed at 617 booths.