Dimapur, Feb. 27 (EMN): Along with other states in India, Nagaland launched the Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) on February 27. The department of Health and Family Welfare has targeted to cover 1,51,458 children from 0-5 years with special focus on migrant population with an aim to prevent importation of polio cases.
The department has set-up 2206 polio booths to be manned by 9096 healthcare personnel and 441 supervisors along with vaccines and other logistics throughout the state.
Dimapur: The additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Dimapur, Temsuwati Longkumer, launched the IPPI programme by administering the first two drops of polio vaccine to a beneficiary.
During a brief inaugural function, Dr. Rebecca, district programme officer, UIP/RCH, informed that the last case of polio in India was reported in 2011 and was certified ‘polio-free’ by the World Health Organisation in 2014. She has attributed the achievement to the tireless support of various NGO, local authorities and the communities and the diligence of the healthcare workers, Asha and AWW.
A total of 530 booths were set-up across the district. The healthcare workers would continue to immunise those left of children during the house-to-house visits.
Mokokchung: The additional deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, Shashank Pratap Singh, launched the IPPI programme at Imlong Place by administering the first polio drop.
In his short speech, Singh has asked to administer polio drops to all the children from 0-5 years as there is a high risk of transferring polio virus from neighboring countries. He congratulated the Health department for the successful launch of IPPI in the district. The deputy chief medical officer of Mokokchung, Dr. Aonungdok, and the DPO (UIP and RCH), Dr. Ayangla Saku, spoke on the occasion.
The Health department has set-up 224 polio booths with a target to cover 7406 children in the district.
Mon: The medical superintendent of Mon District Hospital, Dr. Hoito Sumi, administered the first polio drops during a programme held at the District Hospital.
Speaking at a brief function, the deputy director and nodal officer of NSACS, Dr. Asangla Jamir, congratulated all the healthcare workers for their tireless efforts to immunise the children in the district and urged them to continue the good work. She also encouraged the parents continue supporting the routine immunisation programme.
The Health department has set-up 302 regular polio booths covering 137 villages and 43 hard-to-reach areas with a targeted to cover 25798 children in the age group from 0-5 years. The campaign in Mon town was carried out by the youth department of Konyak Baptist Church Mon (KBCM).
Phek: The district immunisation officer of Phek, Dr. Kolhitso Khalo, launched the IPPI programme at the office of the chief medical officer (CMO) and reminded all healthcare workers and volunteers to follow Covid appropriate behaviours at polio booths and during house-to-house visits.
He also informed that the objective of IPPI popularly known as ‘Polio Sunday’ was to eradicate polio from the country.
The district has targeted to administer polio drops to 12000 children in the age group from 0 to 5 years. It has also set-up 195 polio booths across the district with special focus on hard-to-reach areas along the Indo-Myanmar border. The district has deployed 770 staff and volunteers to carry out the activities.
Shamator: The IPPI programme in Shamator was graced by the deputy commissioner, Thsuvisie Phoji, and the superintendent of police, Amit Kumar along with the medical staff.
Dr. Mhathung, medical officer of Shamator, has thanked both the DC and SP for their encouragement during the programme.
The immunisation programme was held at PHC Shamator and in all health centres across the district.
Wokha: The joint director of Health and Family Welfare department, Dr. Meribeni Odyuo, launched the IPPI programme in Wokha town by administering the first polio drop at the office of the chief medical officer (CMO). The programme was launched in the presence of the CMO, Dr. Tumchobeni.
Speaking on the occasion, the deputy CMO, Dr. Zuben Kikon encouraged the beneficiaries to avail the polio vaccine to prevent Poliomyelitis. He informed that 41 polio booths have been set up in Wokha town and added that the healthcare workers are ensuring to reach out to more than 12,219 beneficiaries from the age group of 0 to 5 years.
Kiphire: Kiphire district launched the IPPI programme on February 27, where the Asha of eleven wards in Kiphire town have volunteered to cover 11 polio booths to administer two drops of polio to children under the supervision of medical staff.
Kiphire district has set-up 134 polio booths covering all health units and villages.
The IPPI campaign would cover even the far-flung villages in the district bordering Myanmar by healthcare workers, who would travel on foot to deliver the polio drops.
Longleng: The additional deputy commissioner of Longleng, Robin, launched the IPPI programme at NST Junction in presence of the CMO Dr. Obangjungla, DPO (RCH/UIP) Dr. Imnameren Phom, staff from MS and CMO office establishments and other well wishers.
The ADC administered the first two drops and motivated the parents and healthcare workers to create awareness on different activities conducted by the Medical department. He also urged upon all parents to administer the polio drops to each and every child.
In his keynote address, Dr. Imnameren Phom gave a brief description about the polio virus, its effects and preventive measures. He informed that 64 polio booths have been set up across the district to cover all the targeted children in the age group of 0-5 years.
Tuensang: The medical superintendent of District Hospital, Tuensang, Dr. Kuotsutho, launched the IPPI by administering two drops of pulse polio to a child at District Hospital, Tuensang, in the presence of Dr. Thungchanpani Patton, DPO (UIP & RCH), district supervisors teams, doctors and nurses.
Dr. Thungchanpani reported that 242 polio booths have been set-up across the district to cover 13,672 targeted children in the age group from 0 to 5 years. He informed that the team members would carry out a two-day house to house visit to cover the children who are left out at polio booths.
Zunheboto: The additional deputy commissioner of Zunheboto, Moakumzuk Tzudir, launched the IPPI programme at the office of the CMO, Zunheboto, and administered the first polio drop to eligible beneficiaries.
CMO of Zunheboto Dr. Zathung Lotha, deputy CMO Dr. K Akaho Sema, DVBO/ DSO Dr. J Hokugha and DTO (UIP&RCH Dr. Y Aron Muru also administered polio drops to the beneficiaries.
Rosy Kinny, nodal officer Red Ribbon Club, along with the members from Zunheboto Government College were also part of the team as volunteers. The immunisation programme would continue for the next three days.