A Dimapur district Task Force Committee meeting was held on February 1 to discuss the upcoming Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation (IPPI) and National Deworming Day (NDD) campaigns scheduled to be launched in the State.
A DIPR report stated that DC Dimapur, Kevekha Kevin Zehol, speaking at the meeting, felt that Dimapur district has to be a model district and carry out the IPPI program with “missionary commitment” because it concerns the health of the people. He also emphasised on the need for proper training of health workers administering the polio drops.
District Programme Officer RCH/UIP Dr. Rebecca informed the meeting that the IPPI would be conducted on March 10, where children in the age group of 0-5 years will be immunized. She reported that 2076 team members, including 102 supervisors will oversee and vaccinate children, covering six blocks under the Medical department of Dimapur district. She also informed the meeting that this year, only a single round of IPPI would be conducted in India.
She further informed the gathering that National Deworming Day has been slated for February 8, to address nutritional impairment, anaemia, nausea, vomiting, weakness etc for adolescent children between 10 – 19 years of age. According to Dr. Rebecca, another round of deworming will be conducted on February 14 for those that may be missed out on February 8.
In the meeting, project officer, UNDP, highlighted maintenance, storage, and temperature regulation of the vaccines, to maintain vaccine quality and so that they are not compromised.
The meeting was held at the DC’s Conference Hall Dimapur, and was attended by all stakeholders including the Rotary Club, official partner for the IPPI campaign.