Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 27 (EMN): Joining the rest of the country, Nagaland launched the state-level intensified pulse polio immunisation (IPPI) programme on Polio National immunisation Day (NID) on Sunday.
Formally launching the programme at UPHC, Seikhazou in Kohima, Dr. Neikhrielie Khimiao, Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare, stated that polio, a viral disease, has been intercepted from spreading afar through the IPPI programme where vaccination has brought a drastic change in the lives of millions living in the country.
Though the government has been going through a "hard time" in combating Covid-19, he stated that the vaccination has "eradicated (polio) from the country."
However, Khimiao cautioned not to be complacent as neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bhutan have been battling polio and that "we never know about the future".
He went on to inform that the dreaded disease has a lot of transit going on from country to country.
However, the medical officer expressed hope that such an inclusive programme would bring a change in the country.
Medical officials informed that they are targeting about 1,51, 458 children between 0-5 years in Nagaland, adding that 9,096 health workers are involved in the campaign with 2,206 polio booths set up across the state.
With the launching of the pulse polio immunisation programme on Sunday, a door-to-door visitation would also be initiated on February 28 and March 1.