Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

Pulse polio programme to be re-launched

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore Sept. 11. Concerned over reports of polio cases in Bellary, Raichur, and Gulbarga districts, the Department of Health and Family Welfare is gearing to re-launch a door-to-door pulse polio programme in the 10 districts of North Karnataka and Pavagada taluk in Tumkur district from the first week of November.

Speaking to presspersons on Wednesday, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Kagodu Thimmappa, regretted that Karnataka which had the distinction of being polio-free in 2001 had lost the tag. The recent conference of Health Ministers held in New Delhi had expressed concern over reports of polio cases in Karnataka.

He said the Centre, which met the Rs. 2.03-crore expense and supplied vaccine during the last round, would once again offer help. All children up to age five would be administered the vaccine. Expressing confidence about the State regaining the polio-free status, Mr. Thimmappa appealed to parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated.

In July and September this year, the first and second round of vaccination had achieved 99.11 per cent success, which was the highest in the State.

The Principal Secretary, S.L. Gangadharappa, said the recent mop-up operation in the State was the biggest ever. During the first and second rounds, 24,65,626 and 25,44,725 children, respectively, were vaccinated and 28,832 health workers and 2,133 supervisors were engaged for the work.

Mr. Thimmappa, who congratulated the deputy commissioners and officers of the Revenue Department, said UNICEF, the WHO, and Rotary International were involved in the programme.

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