National Orientation and Planning meet on Polio begins

New Delhi, May 16: To deliberate methods to attain "zero"

status for the country, the National Orientation and Planning Meet (NOPM) on Polio started here today.

The meet, being organised by India National Polio Plus Committee of Rotary International, warned against being complacent or "polio could rebound quickly."

The meet will deliberate upon the modalities to attain "zero" polio status for the country. Apart from Rotary leaders, the meeting was attended by the representatives of Government of India, World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.

The new Rotary leadership from 34 Rotary districts across the country participated in the meet.

Robert Scott, Chairman, International PolioPlus Committee of Rotary International said, "Considering the demographics, sheer size of India, the programme implementation and dedication from all and the achievement is commendable".

Anuradha Gupta, Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission stressed upon the importance of routine immunisation in preventing Polio and other childhood diseases.

Deepak Kapur, Chairman India National Polio Plus Committee said India had reported the last wild Polio case in Howrah, West Bengal, on January 13, 2011 and if the eradication efforts were complacent now, polio could rebound quickly, potentially paralysing thousands of children a year.

PTI