Jammu and Kashmir Health Department is trying to make this program successful.
State Bureau, Jammu. To keep Jammu and Kashmir polio free, a campaign was launched across the state on National Immunization Day on Sunday. Health Health and Medical Education Education Minister Sakina Itu started the campaign by feeding 'Do Drops of Life' to a newborn baby at Gandhinagar Hospital.
Despite bad weather at many places on the first day, 88 percent children were given the vaccine. 92 percent children were given the vaccine in Jammu division and 84 percent children were given the vaccine in Kashmir division. The remaining children will now be given drops of oral polio vaccine by going door-to-door on Monday and Tuesday.
The Health Minister stressed the important role of regular vaccination and community participation in keeping Jammu and Kashmir polio free. He urged parents to actively cooperate with health workers and ensure that every child gets the life-saving polio vaccine during the campaign.
The child should not be left unvaccinated
The Minister said that under this campaign, giving polio drops to the child is a very important responsibility of both the parents and not just the mother. The Minister reiterated the Government's strong resolve to protect the health of children and maintain India's polio-free status through continued surveillance and strengthened vaccination efforts.
He said no child under five years of age should be left unvaccinated and called for active participation from parents, frontline health workers, community leaders and all concerned to ensure that all children are vaccinated.
About 11000 booths established in Jammu and Kashmir
The Minister said that the Health Department is working efficiently under this campaign and has achieved polio-free status in Jammu and Kashmir. He appreciated the efforts of frontline health workers, Asha workers, Anganwadi workers, volunteers and district health teams for their tireless dedication in reaching every household, including remote and sensitive areas. He said that it is very challenging to go to remote areas and give these two drops to children but our frontline staff accomplished it efficiently.
The Minister said that the department has set up about 11000 booths across Jammu and Kashmir involving about 42000 health workers and about 20 lakh children will be administered polio drops during the campaign. He said that to cover every eligible child, arrangements have been made in all the districts for special immunization booths, mobile teams and door-to-door delivery of vaccine drops.
Public health strategy an important part
MLA Vikram Randhawa said the polio eradication campaign is an important part of the government's public health strategy to protect future generations in Jammu and Kashmir and strengthen disease prevention measures. He appealed to all parents, public and responsible citizens to contribute to this campaign. The MLA also praised the consistent efforts of Health Minister Sakina Itu in improving the healthcare infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
Health Secretary Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed said that this day is very important to maintain the status of polio-free India which our country had achieved in the year 2014. He appealed to the parents and public to actively participate in this campaign.
CEO State Health Agency Anant Dwivedi, Mission Director Sajjad Hussain Ganai, Commissioner Food and Drug Administration Smita Sethi, Director Family Welfare and Immunization Dr. Poonam Sethi, Director Health Services Jammu Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar, doctors, paramedical staff, healthcare professionals and a large number of local people and children were also present.