CHANDIGARH: While adhering to the directives issued by Government of India, the Polio Sub-National lmmunization Day (SNlDs) will be held in the selected parts of the country from September 20, 2020. However, during this period, SNIDs will also be held in High Risk Areas, including containment zones in 13 districts of Haryana namely Ambala, Faridabad, Gurguram, Mewat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Panchkula, Palwal, Panipat, Sonipat and Yamunanagar.
This information was shared in a virtual meeting held under the Chairmanship of Mr. Prabhjot Singh, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Haryana here today. Officers from all the concerned departments attended the meeting.
In the meeting it was informed that due to consistent hard work the country and Haryana continue to remain polio-free since 2012. This war against polio has been won by effective coordination and support of all line departments who alongside the Health department has worked tirelessly to ensure all children receive Polio drops in every round.
Prabhjot Singh was apprised that on January 19, National Polio round in all 22 districts was conducted in Haryana. During this 3744399 children were immunized in the State. It was further informed that the second SNID scheduled to begin in June was deferred due to the on-going COVID-19 Pandemic situation. This first sub-national round offers an opportunity to build mass immunity against any potential threat of POLIO from across the border.
While directing officers of all the departments concerned to take all necessary steps so as to ensure Polio Sub-National lmmunization Day becomes a success, Mr. Prabhjot Singh said, “As you are aware, due to the unique challenge posed by the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic it is pivotal to have coordination and support of all to conduct safe, effective and qualitative campaign in the state.”
He said that with the closure of educational and technical institutions like nursing colleges all departments should support the Health department by identifying manpower especially for big urban areas, who can be trained to work as vaccinators in the polio round.
“WCD department should make special efforts to ensure all Anganwadi staff –workers and helpers are involved as an important part of vaccination team in their area and along with the Health workers micro-planning and due listing of beneficiaries in their areas should be done”, directed Mr. Prabhjot Singh.
He said that all departments especially DIPROs shall use all mediums at their disposal to create awareness and publicity regarding Polio in their districts.
He said that Ministry of Home Affairs has already provided an exception in the containment zones to conduct Pulse Polio Programme by considering the Pulse Polio Programme activity as an essential service. This effectively means pulse polio rounds are to be carried out in High-Risk Areas including containment zone, buffer and beyond buffer areas, he said.
Prabhjot Singh further directed the officers concerned to mobilize manpower from non-high-risk areas if needed to adequately cover all HRAs.
“I hope that with your valuable support state can again conduct a successful Pulse Polio round and sustain the hard won gains of Polio eradication” asserted Mr. Prabhjot Singh.