The Hindu : New Delhi News : New cases of polio concern Sheila

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Sunday, Nov 12, 2006
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New cases of polio concern Sheila

Staff Reporter

Exhorts parents to bring kids to immunisation booths today

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday expressed serious concern over fresh polio cases being reported in the Capital and exhorted parents to bring their children to the polio booths across the city this Sunday.

Speaking after the launch of the next phase of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme (PPIP) at her residence, Ms. Dikshit said 26 lakh children in the 0-5 years age group would be administered polio drops at 7,500 booths on Sunday. More than 23,000 personnel including volunteers would be covering lakhs of families in all parts of the Capital. The Chief Minister said migration from other States to Delhi was emerging as a big threat to the city, which had reached the verge of elimination of polio.

"In view of low nutrition level of children in our country, repetition of anti-polio dose for more than five times becomes imperative. Deficiency in repetition of dose can cause problem whereas additional repetition will not be harmful," she added.

Delhi initiated the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme in 1994. From an average of about 500 polio cases in Delhi during 1994-95, only one case was reported in Delhi in 2005 whereas around five cases have been reported this year. Ms. Dikshit disclosed that Delhi was first State to introduce house-to-house "search and immunise" component in the year 1999. The new phase would be followed by a five-day door-to-door campaign to cover leftover cases.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to administer drops to the maximum number of children including children of vulnerable localities. Population in transit would also be covered through polio booths at railway stations, inter-State bus terminals, Appu Ghar, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Millennium Park, Delhi Metro railway stations, Pragati Maidan, Nirankari Sant Samagam, India International Trade Fair and Akshardham Temple.

Health Minister Yoganand Shastri also administered anti-polio drops to few children on this occasion. Dr. Shastri disclosed that efforts are under way to increase the nutrition level of mothers and children.

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