Polio Eradication strategy to be implemented

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The Union Cabinet tonight gave its approval for the implementation of the polio eradication strategy with an estimated expenditure of Rs.2344.56 crore.

An official spokesperson said here after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) that the number of SNID (Sub National Immunisation Day) rounds in high-risk States / areas and their coverage each year will depend upon the recommendations of IEAG made from time to time.

She said the funding guidelines for Operational Cost would remain the same, but the quantum of honorarium to vaccinators and supervisors will be increased from Rs.25/50 to Rs.75 respectively.

The cost of POL will be increased from Rs.400 per vehicle per day to Rs.650 per vehicle per day.

The Spokesperson said the Department of Health and Family Welfare will be permitted to negotiate with the World Bank and other external funding agencies and access external funds in order to bridge the gap between total requirements and availability so that reliance on domestic budgetary resources could be reduced to the minimum.

Elimination of polio will improve the quality of lives of those otherwise affected by the disease involving life long disability, thus improving national productivity and eliminating wasteful expense on treatment and rehabilitation, an official release said here.

UNI SH YA DB2014