Correct information key to polio eradication : Farooque

Darbhanga, Bihar, May 19 (UNI) Noted film actor Farooque Sheikh has emphasised on the need for providing correct information to the people for making the polio eradication programme successful in Bihar.

''Bihar faces many disadvantages and is a late starter in many areas. There is need to inform the people about the benefits of vaccination if we are to reduce child morality in the state,'' said Mr Sheikh while particapting in a polio eradication programme here yesterday.

''There is no time to lose. We can not deny the due facilities and privileges to the children of Bihar and proper health care is an essential component of good living,'' he added.

Elaborating his views on the issue, Mr Sheikh said after many years the routine immunisation programme had been re-launched and was now reaching far-flung areas of all districts.

''In Bihar, as per the current morality rate of 62 children per 1000 births, as many as 16 infants are dying every hour which means 400 children are dying every day. These children are dying due to low birth weight caused by poor health of mothers and prevalence of anaemia, inadequate health facilities, among others. Now, if a child is ill or unfortunately dies during a vaccination round, parents often blame on the polio vaccine,'' he said.

''This has two consequence: One, the real cause is never addressed and two, it discourages parents from vaccinating their children which exposes them to the virus and other dangerous germs'' he explained.

He called upon all sections of the society to come together to make the polio programme a success.

''Bihar is vaccinating more than 2 crore children since March 2005 but the fresh cases of polio are still coming up in different localities of the state. That will stop if we persist, I know it is a difficult hour, but let us persist and not lose hope and courage'' he added.

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