The second phase of the Pulse Polio programme was inaugurated by State Health Department Assistant Director Dr Vasudeva Rao here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion he said polio free state is the motto of the programme and it is in this direction that Pulse polio programme has been undertaken in a phased manner.

Migrant family

“The polio symptoms that was found in a child in Bangalore belonged to a migrant family from UP which had come to Bangalore to eke out a living”, he added. 

“As many as 1,93,472 kids who are below the age of five will be administered polio drops in the district and to 77 lakh children in the State who are below the age of five, he noted.

“For the purpose of Pulse Polio programme 772 booths have been erected. As many as 3,088 persons have been appointed to administer drops and 162 supervisors have been appointed for the programme, said district Health and Family Welfare officer Dr Ramesh babu.

 As many as 202 booths have been opened in the taluk, out of which 75 are in Kolar and 128 booths in rural areas, noted Babu who said that second phase of vaccination aims to achieve 100 per cent success.

Chikkaballapur

“It is very important for children to be vaccinated against disabilities. Hence, all the parents should compulsorily get their children administered with pulse polio drops”, said President of the Zilla Panchayat M B Chikkanarasimhaiah, here on Sunday.

Setting in motion, the second phase of the pulse polio programme at the district centre, he said, the officials of the Health Department had been providing complete information in this regard, and the people are requested to make use of this information. “This programme was useful to eradicate polio in the country’, the deputy commissioner informed.

Speaking on the occasion, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr Anchutagi said, the pulse polio programme began today at 621 centres.

A target of administering pulse polio to 1,48,911 children from 0-5 years had been set. 2,482 staff members are involved in programme. 29 pulse polio booths had been opened, at places including the bus stand and also where the movement of people was high.

Apart from this, six mobile centres had also been set into action, he informed.

District Nodal Officer of the Health Department Dr Ravishankar, Dr Shyamsundar from the District Hospital, Dr Siddalingappa, District Unit Secretary of the Government Employees Association Prasanna and others were present on the occasion.

Late entry

The president of the zilla panchayat had been invited to inaugurate the pulse polio programme. However, by the time he arrived at the venue, the programme had already begun. Mr Chikkanarasimhaiah expressed his dissatisfaction over this.