Mokokchung, February 27 (MTNews):Mokokchung joined the rest of the country in the Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization drive today, carried out by the State Health Department, which began with a brief launching program held at Imlong Place, Mokokchung. Dr. Ayangla Saku, DPO (UIP & RCH), said that 243 booths across the district were set up to administer polio drops to a target of 7402 children between the ages of 0-5 years in the district.
Dr Aonungdok Tushi, Deputy CMO, Mokokchung, stated that although India has been declared “polio free” since 2014, with the last case of polio recorded in 2011, the Government of India continues to launch Polio immunization program to maintain the polio eradication from the country as few neighboring countries are yet to eradicate polio. Thus, India continues a strict polio surveillance system to maintain its ‘polio-free’ status.
Shashank Pratap Singh IAS, ADC, Mokokchung, during his speech, informed that in 1995 following the global polio eradication initiative of the WHO, India launched the IPPI with universal immunization program which aimed at 100% coverage to all children between 0-5 years while also highlighting on the types of polio virus and its effects. He stated that, India is a polio free country but there is a high risk of transferring Polio Virus from neighboring countries where polio disease is still very active. He congratulated the Department of Health & Family Welfare and allied Departments for the successful launching of IPPI in the district.
Dr Ayangla Saku, DPO (UIP & RCH), who chaired the program welcomed the officials and parents, while Chaplain, IMDH, Mokokchung graced the program with prayer. Shashank Pratap Singh IAS, ADC, Mokokchung officially launched the program, who also administered the first polio drops.
The launching program saw the participation of Dr. Kika Longkumer, Joint Director Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Officials from the District Administration, Staffs of Chief Medical Officer Office & IMDH, Officials from the Department of Social Welfare & School Education, Red Cross Society and Rotary Club Mokokchung.