|
The next nation-wide pulse polio round will be held on Sunday the 21st November, 2004. During the round, polio drops will be administered to about 16.6 crore children all around the country. In the national capital, the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi will administer polio drops to a few children as a symbolic launching to mark the political commitment to eradicating the virus. Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare will be present. The nation-wide pulse polio round on Sunday will be followed by two sub-national immunization rounds in January and February next year in the high risk states and districts.
The situation as it stands today is that the transmission of the poliovirus is at its lowest level. Geographically the spread has been restrained to a very limited area. The number of polio cases has come down dramatically to 85 in 2004 (as on date) from 1934 cases reported in 1998 and 1600 cases in 2002. The state-wise breakup of polio cases reported in 2004 are as follows:-
Uttar Pradesh 55
Bihar 20
Maharashtra 2
Delhi 2
Andhra Pradesh 1
Haryana 1
Karnataka 1
Tamilnadu 1
Uttranchal 1
West Bengal 1
There is a need for concerted efforts by all the sections of the community, the service providers, district and state administrations to ensure a very high quality round. The next few rounds are seen as the best opportunity to finally eradicate the virus from the country provided the quality of round is optimal.
It may be recalled that 1995, the Govt. of India had resolved to implement the pulse polio immunization programme to eradicate poliomyelitis. Intensive efforts in 1998 and 1999 saw a dramatic reduction in polio cases. However, there had been an increase in 2000 and 2001 due to slackened efforts.
Intensive efforts in the national round on Sunday and the sub-national immunization rounds will make it possible for India to knockout the virus from the country. In next 6 months, the task should be completed, releasing more than a Rs.1000 crores for other important immunization activities in future.
|
