Pulse polio programme: Pondy targets 1 lakh children

PONDICHERRY DECEMBER 9. Despite poor funds from the Centre, the Union Territory Administration has slated to cover more than one lakh children in the eight-hour Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme (IPPI) through 416 booths and mobile units to administer oral pulse polio drops.

The Health Minister, Mr. E. Valsaraj, told newspersons here on Friday that although Rs. 14 lakhs would be needed to carry out the programme in the Union Territory the Centre had provided Rs. 2.4 lakhs. However, with funds at the disposal of the local government, the programme is being held in all the four regions and the booths would start operating from 7 a.m. and would go on non-stop till 3 p m tomorrow. The next round of the programme is scheduled for January 21.

Each of the 416 booths would cover 300 children under five years.

Mr. Valsaraj said the border booths would function for 12 hours from 6 a.m. Dr. Thamma Rao, Director of Health and Family Welfare Services, said the staff of the Health Department, anganwadi teachers, volunteers of the NCC, NSS and various non-governmental organisations would associate themselves with the implementation of the IPPI.

He said 84 supervisors, area coordinators and Monitors from other agencies had been requisitioned. The UNICEF report relating to last year had ranked Union Territory of Pondicherry at the top among all the States and Union Territories for cent per cent coverage. Dr. C. M. Reddy, Deputy Director (Immunisation), was also present.

No polio case had been detected in the Union Territory during 1999 and till November this year. Adequate stocks of vaccines, gentian violet, banners, arm bands and caps for identification of health workers had been procured and made available at all the centres. Teams of staff would spread themselves to cover children travelling with their parents in trains,buses and private vehicles and booths would operate at the local railway station and bus terminals also.

CUDDALORE: Service organisations and hundreds of volunteers are geared up for the pulse polio immunisation programme to be held on Sunday.

According to Mr. V. P. Vijayakumar, NCC Officer, Government Higher Secondary School, Valavanur in Villupuram district, as many as 50 NCC cadets would be pressed into service in various parts to administer polio drops to children below 5 years. A procession to create an awareness in this regard was taken out which was inaugurated by Mr. Vishwasena, president of the Town Panchayat.

In a press release today, the Cuddalore District Collector, Mr. Sandeep Saxena, said no incidence of polio ailment had been reported last year in the district. The Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, Mr. M. R. K. Pannerselvam, will inaugurate the programme in Vadalur on Sunday.

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