CCEA approves Rs 1039 crore for polio eradication in 2006-07

New Delhi, Jun 29 (UNI) In a bid to achieve the polio eradication target, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved funds to the tune of Rs 1039 crore for the implementation of polio eradication strategies in the year 2006-07.

Briefing mediapersons here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunshi said the four National Immunization Day would be carried out throughout the country, costing about Rs 1004 crore while a Sub-National Immunization day would be observed, costing Rs 35 crore in April next year.

The number of SNID rounds in high risk states/areas and their coverage each year will depend upon the recommendations of Indian Experts Advisory Group made from time to time. Similarly, mop up rounds could be recommended by IEAG in case of occurrence of polio cases in non-SNID states. In view of this, the Department of Family Welfare will be allowed to adjust and modify the strategy, including revising the number of SNID rounds and their coverage, converting NID into SNID or vice versa and also conduct mop up rounds in non-SNID states in accordance with IEAG recommendations and implement the same within the overall outlay of Rs 1039 crore, he said.

Mr Dasmunshi said CCEA also gave its approval for the corrective surgery and rehabilitation of the polio victims and to equip them to earn their livelihood and lead a dignified life in the community.

For this Rs 20 crore has been kept.

As per the data available with the National Polio Surveillance Project, it is estimated that there are about 20,000 such children in the country and each one of them will get an average of Rs 10,000 for corrective surgery, fitment of prostheses, calipers/boots of good and light quality and residency and training of victim and attendent for treatment and physio-therapy period.

Elimination of polio would improve the quality of lives of those otherwise affected by polio involving life long disability, thus improving national productivity and eliminating wasteful expense on treatment and rehabilitation, he said.

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