The Hindu : `No polio case during last 10 months'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 22, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`No polio case during last 10 months'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, FEB. 21. The next phase of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme (PPIP) will be organised in the Capital on Sunday (February 22) under which children up to five years will be administered polio drops.

The programme was formally launched by the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, at her official residence today by administering polio drops to several children.

The chief guest on the occasion was the lady mountaineer, Santosh Yadav. Also present on the occasion were the Delhi Health Minister, Yoganand Shastri, besides representatives of WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and Delhi Medical Association.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Dikshit expressed satisfaction that there were only three polio cases in Delhi last year and not a single case had been reported in the past 10 months. This, she added, was possible mainly due to the efforts of the staff and active support and cooperation of the public, the non-government and voluntary organisations.

She said that children participation in the programme showed that the country would be able to achieve the goal of becoming polio free by 2005.

Mr. Dikshit urged Delhiites and those parents who have children below five years to get their kids the required polio drops from the nearest polio kendra and also motivate their neighbours so that not a single child was deprived of polio drops.

The Delhi Health Minister said under the programme 7,500 polio kendras had been set up in hospitals, dispensaries, community centres, anganwari centres, nursing homes and private institutes across the Capital.

Besides, 350 mobile teams will cover slum clusters, pavements and construction sites and another 65 teams have been deployed at transit points like railway station, bus terminus, airports and entry points to the Capital.

At all these centres, the staff will function from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 25,000 people have been deployed for the purpose.

Dr. Shastri reiterated that polio drops were completely safe and the programme was aimed at strengthening the immunity of children against polio and eradicating the polio virus from the whole atmosphere so that the future generation of children along with the present generation was prevented from getting this crippling polio disease.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi

News Update

Stories in this Section

Drive soon to discipline Blueline buses

Kids produce audio on neglect of girl child

Centre misleading nation : Sheila

Cultural activists flay repressive steps

Expo on free trade zones inaugaurated

`No polio case during last 10 months'

Romila takes a dig at diaspora

CINEMA

Vigil stepped up in jail premises

Three held after encounter

Traffic diversion for `cricket' match

AIIMS deadlock continues

Around the City

Briefly

In The Capital Today