Another round of pulse polio campaign launched in Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 26: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today launched another round of pulse polio campaign here by giving anti-polio drops to number of children in a function organized at her residence.

Speaking on the occasion, Dikshit said that it would be ensured that no virus of Polio could enter the National Capital Territory (NCT).

"For making a strong nation, we must have strong children, which would only be possible with the success of polio programme," she added.

She further stated that though not even a single case was reported in Delhi after January, 2010 but Delhi remains to be at risk due to the huge migration in the city.

"It is essential to concentrate on Pulse Polio Immunization Program (PPIP) to overcome risk factor. It is also essential to implement this program in true spirit to protect new born children from Polio virus," she said.

"Around 3.5 lac children take birth in Delhi in a year. Only 42 cases were reported in the country during 2010 whereas only one case has been reported this year up to the month of June. The Delhi will strive hard to achieve zero level in true sense," she added.

Emphasising that Delhi has always been a pioneer in pulse polio immunization programme, Dikshit exhorted parents to come forward and bring their children up to five years of age for immunization at Polio Booths.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr AK Walia said that 8200 polio booths would be established tomorrow to administer polio vaccine to lacs of children of 0-5 age group.

Around 35,000 workers and employees of the health department would be deployed to ensure maximum reach from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.," he added.

The stalls would be stationed at Railway Stations, ISBTs, Public places including major temples, Metro Stations, Millennium Park and Zoo. Apart from this, a door-to-door weeklong survey would also be conducted under search and immunization pulse polio campaign.

ANI