‘Focus on migrants’ kids during Pulse Polio drive’

Second round of vaccination campaign to be organised on February 24

Polio vaccination for children of people who have migrated to the district from outside states should be focused upon, advised Dr Govindaraju, medical officer at the R L Jalappa Hospital emergency treatment unit.

Dr Govindaraju, who is also the president of the Red Cross Society district unit, addressed an orientation and planning meeting of the Pulse Polio campaign organised on Wednesday at the T Chennayya Rangamandira by the Society along with the Rotary Club and the Health and Family Welfare Department.

‘Move beyond city’

“Seventy booths have been identified in the City for the National Pulse Polio programme that will be organised on February 24. This is a positive move. But, such efforts should be extended to places which are highly populated by nomads and migrant communities,” said the officer.

The Rotary Club has worked with the government the last several years at eradicating polio. The citizens too should cooperate with the workers and the authorities if polio should be wiped out from India, he insisted.

Dr B G Prakash Kumar, district health officer, said the Health Department has been striving to control and eliminate polio. “A round of vaccination has already been carried out all over the district on January 20. The second round of the campaign hopes to focus on children below five years of age,” the officer added.

Dr P B Subrahmanya, National Polio Eradication Programme medical officer, said the programme’s aim of vaccination of children will be considered while setting up booths. “Booths will be opened at places easily accessible to the public, in anganwadis and villages schools, in addition to the usual hospitals and health centres,” he said.

‘Spread awareness’

“Anganwadi and Asha workers as well as medical staff at village levels should work with diligence at eradication of polio.
They should identify children to be vaccinated and also spread awareness among parents about the importance of vaccination against polio for children. If the residents of houses you visit are away, provide information about the campaign to their neighbours,” he told the workers.

Handouts with information on the vaccination booths in the City were released on the occasion. Anganwadi and Asha workers from all over the district were instructed on the campaign.

Rotarian P Narayana, Dr Rajesh Mouni, K N Ramesh, Dr Purushottam, Prakash Nagesh, Dr Subramani and V P Somashekhar were on the dais.


Source : Deccan Herald , Kolar ( 14th Feb 2013)