First round polio immunisation programme launched across state

Dimapur, March 10 (EMN): Health and family welfare department has launched the first round of polio immunisation programme in all the district headquarters and sub-divisions. The programme was launched by targeting children in the age group of 0-5 years with special focus on immigrant population. Dimapur: As part of National Immunisation Day (NID), chief medical officer (CMO), Dimapur, Dr. K Vikato Kinimi, administered the first two drops of polio on March 10. Dr. Kinimi appreciated all the medical staff and volunteers for their constant cooperation and contribution towards sustaining polio free- status from the district. [caption id="attachment_237876" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Chief medical officer, Dimapur, Dr. K Vikato Kinimi, administering the polio drops to a child on March 10.[/caption] After the inaugural function, certificate of appreciation were awarded to private schools association, Lions’ Club and Blue Vanda, Dimapur brick-kiln union, SBI Dimapur, Dimapur Christian Forum, Hindu Samaj, Muslim Council, and Jain Samaj for their contribution and support during the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign held in 2018. Other officials present during the IPPI launching function were Dr. Obangjungla, deputy director of healthy department and state-level monitor for the IPPI; Dr. Antoly Suu, deputy CMO; Dr. Heto, ZLO; Dr. Lydia, Ayush;  Rajesh, UNDP; Rev. Yhunlo Thong, chaplain, DHD; and staff under CMO, Dimapur. Mokokchung: With a target to cover 7384 children below 5 years of age in Mokokchung district, deputy commissioner, Mokokchung, Rajesh Soundararajan, launched the Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) at Imlong Place on March 10. [caption id="attachment_237882" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Deputy commissioner, Mokokchung, Rajesh Soundararajan, administering first polio drops to a child at Imlong Place on March 10.[/caption] In his short speech, the DC encouraged all the health workers and volunteers of the district to be sincere and dedicated for successful implementation of the programme. He urged the health workers not to fight with the polio disease but to keep it at bay. He also administered the first polio drops to a child. The programme was attended by members from Indian Red Cross Society, Rotary Club, UNDP staff and health workers of the district. Dr. Kika Longkumer, deputy director of health department, also attended the programme as state supervisor. DPO informed that 6067 children were immunised on the first day and added that house to house survey cum immunisation would be carried out on March 11 and 12 for left out children. Mon: Targeting 24326 children in the age group of 0-5 years, Mon district launched the first round polio immunisation on March 10. To ensure success of the programme, 298 regular booths were set up in 131 villages with 70 supervisors assigned led by Dr. Akaba Jamir, deputy direcrtor, RCH. [caption id="attachment_237883" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Children display the ink marking on their fingers after being administered polio drops in Mon town on March 10.[/caption] Youth from Konyak Baptist Church Mon (KBCM), 35 Assam Rifles, 100 RCC GREF, and other NGOs also took part in the programme as volunteers. Deputy commissioner, Mon, K Thavaseelan thanked the district health society, Mon, for the successful completion of MR campaign. He also requested the team to dispel myths or doubts about polio vaccine and achieve 100% coverage. The DC later administered the first polio drops to a new born baby at the hospital. Phek:  Phek district launched the first round of polio immunisation at District Hospital Phek on March 10 on the theme “Let the victory over polio continue with two drops of life.” At the launching program Dr. Kolhitso Khalo, district immunisation officer, Phek, gave a brief overview of polio eradication and its strategies. Polio drops were also administered by Dr. Kolhitso Khalo, Dr. Ruokuohelie Rutsa, Dr. Martin, Dr. Senilo and pastor Ngutsolo Therie. [caption id="attachment_237884" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Target children along with their mothers at the polio immunisation launching programme at District Hospital, Phek.[/caption] Total of 205 polio booths were set up across the district targeting 10319 eligible children from the age group of 0-5 years. Dr. Kolhitso informed that house to house visit would also be carried out by vaccinating teams and the supervisors to look out for unimmunised children. Peren: In Peren, the polio immunisation programme was launched in District Hospital, Peren, on March 10. The programme was chaired by Dr. Albert Pochury, MO CHC Jalukie, while and speeches were delivered by Dr. M Nukshisangla Jamir, DPO, UIP & RCH, and C Wangan, EAC, Peren. [caption id="attachment_237885" align="aligncenter" width="565"] C Wangan, EAC Peren, administering the first polio drops to a child at District Hospital, Peren, on March 10.[/caption] Dr. M Nukshisangla Jamir urged the public to remain vigilant against recurrence of polio infection from neighbouring countries although India has been declared polio-free. She also encouraged every child who is eligible to come forward and get vaccinated with OPV so as to make Peren free of polio related paralysis. The first polio drops were administered by C Wangan, EAC Peren. Longleng: Deputy commissioner and chairman of district health society, Longleng, John Tsulise Sangtam, launched the polio immunisation programme at NST junction in Longleng town on March 10. Speaking on the occasion, Sangtam underlined the responsibilities of parents ensure safety of their children. He urged the parents to disseminate the importance of immunisation to their community for a polio free society. [caption id="attachment_237888" align="aligncenter" width="565"] C Wangan, EAC Peren, administering the first polio drops to a child at District Hospital, Peren, on March 10.[/caption] The DC also lauded medical department of Longleng for successful completion of MR vaccination campaign in the district and gave away the appreciation certificate to government agencies for their support and cooperation rendered during MR vaccination campaign. In his keynote address, DPO (RCH/UIO), Longleng, Dr. Imnameren Phom appealed to all the government agencies, NGOs and civil societies, churches and all responsible persons to come forward and assist the department to eradicate polio from humanity. The DC administered the first polio drops to a child after the formal programme. Zunheboto: Deputy commissioner, Zunheboto, Shanavas C, have launched the first round of polio immunisation in the premises of at CMO’s office on March 10 and also administered the first polio drops to a child. [caption id="attachment_237889" align="alignright" width="320"] Deputy commissioner, Zunheboto, Shanavas C, administering the first polio drops after launching of the immunisation programme on March 10.[/caption] In his address, Shanavas spoke on the importance of vaccination motivated the parents and health workers to be an ambassador to create awareness about the different activities carried out by the medical department. He also encouraged the health workers to work with dedication and sincerity. Shanavas also thanked the health worker for their hard work and services rendered to the society. Zunheboto has set a target of 8560 children in the age group between 0-5 years. It has also set up 222 booths across the district. Wokha: Wokha district launched the first round polio immunisation programme at Model Anganwadi centre in Vungoju colony, Wokha town, on March 10. Chonbenthung Ezung, SDO (C), administered the first polio drops in the presence of deputy chief medical officer Dr. Zuben Kikon, DPO (UIP/RCH) Dr. Khelito Zhimomi, programme officers, CDPOs, senior supervisor from social welfare department and medical staff. [caption id="attachment_237892" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Chonbenthung Ezung, SDO (C), administering polio drops to a child at the Model Anganwadi Centre in Vungoju colony, Wokha town, on March 10.[/caption] To ensure all children between 0-5 years receive polio drops, a total of 197 polio booths, five transit teams, one mobile team were set up. State external observer, Dr. John Kemp, SSO (IDSP) H&FW, and his team visited the urban polio booths. House to house visit would be carried out on March 11 and 12 both at urban and rural areas. Tuensang: In Tuensang, polio immunisation programme was launched by the deputy commissioner, Mohammed Ali Shihab, who also administered the first two drops of polio at Clock Tower junction, Tuensang town, in the presence of Dr. T Pangjung Sangtam, CMO, Dr. Neisakho Kere, deputy director of vector borne disease, state monitoring team from Kohima and Dr. Thungchanpeni, DPO, UIP& RCH. Dr. T Pangjung Sangtam informed that 242 polio booth centres were set up across the district to cover 13,462 children from 0-5 years. Altogether, 49 supervisors and 968 team members would be involved in the IPPI activities. The DC appreciated the department for the well organised polio immunisation programme in the district and encouraged the health workers to continue with the same spirit for the successful implementation of the programme. Assam Rifles: Troops of 28 Assam Rifles conducted polio immunisation at its unit hospital on March 10. The programme was conducted by Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) and staff, where a total of 41 children under the age group of 0 to five were administered polio drops.