DIMAPUR
As part of the National Immunization Day (NID), Nagaland launched a three-day Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) drive in all districts of the state, Sunday.
During the drive, efforts would be made to administer two drops of the oral polio vaccine to all children below five years of age, irrespective of previous immunisation status, to protect against polio.
Dimapur: The IPPI drive was launched in Dimapur district by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Tinojongshi Chang, by administering two drops of polio to a beneficiary.
In his speech, the DC highlighted the importance of community awareness on immunization. He also asked the public to avail free health services provided by the health department.
In a brief overview of IPPI, district programme officer, UIP-RCH,
Dr. Rebecca, credited the success of immunization programs on the community support and efforts of all health workers especially those at the grassroot level such as ANMs, ASHAs, and AWWs.
She urged the health workers to not be complacent but continue to give their efforts to maintain the status of polio free country as the risk of importing polio virus from neighbouring countries are still high.
Wokha
Wokha: Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Wokha, Dr. Zubenthung Kikon, launched the IPPI in Wokha district by administrating the first polio drops.
In the programme, DIO Wokha, Dr. Thungchanpeni Patton, informed that a total of 193 polio booths were set up and 40 supervisors would be monitoring the polio activities in the district. She further said that the district will try to achieve the target of 10,890 beneficiaries.
To reach out the unvaccinated, she said house to house polio immunization will be carried out on March 4-5.
On Sunday, Accredited Social Health Activists, Anganwadi workers and health workers at various health centres administered polio vaccine to children between the age group of zero to five years in the district.
Mon
Mon: District Health Society, Mon launched IPPI with the administration of the first polio drops by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mon, Dr Imnapokim.
Delivering a brief note on IPPI, DPO (UIP & RCH), Dr Wungyong, said the target of the block under the districts was to reach out to 20306 children. He said house to house would be carried out on March 4-5.
State monitoring team, Reproductive, Maternal, Child Health and Adolescents (RMCHA) consultant, Dr Longri Kichu, also briefed on the effectiveness of two drops of polio and advised the gathered mothers to continue to immunize their children on time.
In total 238 booths were set up across the district.
Phek
Phek: Phek district launched IPPI program with the administration of first Polio drops by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Phek, John Tsulise.
In his speech, the DC urged the community to participate, support and immunize children so as to eradicate poliomyelitis. He also appealed the public to encourage and motivate others to take polio drops.
Altogether, 205 polio booths were set up across the district, targeting to immunize all the children from 0-5 years of age. Supervisors from the department and partners will be monitoring the booths in all the five blocks. The health workers will carry out house to house visits to catch those children who missed polio drops in the booths.
Zunheboto
Zunheboto: The IPPI drive in Zunheboto district was launched by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) Zunheboto, Robbi Sangtam by administrating the first two polio drops to the eligible beneficiaries.
In his speech, Sangtam encouraged the public to come forward to create awareness as this immunization programme is being held to eradicate Polio for good.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Zunheboto, Dr. K. Akaho Sema, appreciated the support of the community and also acknowledged the health workers for their hard work and services. The IPPI drive initiated by the District Health Society Zunheboto was carried by blocks in the entire district.
Longleng
Longleng: IPPI program was launched in Longleng district by Deputy Commissioner (DC) and chairman District Health Society (DHS) Longleng, Dharam Raj, administering the first two drops of polio.
In his speech, the DC encouraged all stakeholders and citizens of Longleng to cooperate in the effort to eliminate polio.
In a keynote address, DPO(RCH/UIP) Longleng, Imnameren Phom, informed that 66 immunization booths were set up under Longleng and that there are 4,339 head counts for polio. He informed that door to door immunization would be carried out on March 4-5. Phom encouraged all citizens to cooperate to ensure that no child was left behind.
Kiphire
Kiphire: IPPI campaign was launched in Kiphire district with the administration of polio drops to the first beneficiary by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kiphire, D Robin.
In a keynote address, deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kiphire, Dr. Kolhitso Khalo, informed that the district plans to vaccinate more than 5,000 children in the age group of 0 to 5 years with vaccination booths set up all across the district, which would be followed by house-to-house activity. Khalo said health workers will visit houses in search of children who have missed the polio drops during booth activity. The activity is being monitored by representatives from UNDP and WHO.
Mokokchung
Mokokchung: The IPPI program was launched in Mokokchung district with the administration of the first drops of polio by Watsu president, S Arenla Longkumer. In a speech, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mokokchung, Dr Kibangkumba said the polio program was launched by government of India to maintain polio free status. The district total target under 0-5 years is 5443 children, who are to be covered by 214 IPPI booths, informed CMO office.
Peren
Peren: IPPI was launched in Peren district with PO, UNDP, Rajesh Monsang, administrating the first polio drops. Peren district has set up 155 booths and has 6975 target children.
In a keynote address, DPO (RCH & UIP) Peren, Dr. Supongmenla Walling, stressed about the importance of vaccination. She motivated the parents and health workers to be an ambassador to create awareness about the different activities carried out by the medical department.