CHANDIGARH: National Immunization Days (NID) for vaccination against polio is being observed in Chandigarh from 19th-01-2014 to 21st-01-2014. Convergence reaches its peak as international teams concerned with polio eradication, also landed in Chandigarh for the same. World health Organization monitoring teams/other agencies have chipped in to ensure 100% coverage of all the children of 0-5 year of age during the first day of National Immunization Day (NID) January round 2014.
Chandigarh has been polio free since 2006, the last case of wild polio virus was detected in Chandigarh from Mazdoor colony. However, later on no case of wild polio virus has been detected; inspite of the increasing no. of Acute Flaccid Paralysis cases being reported in higher numbers, because of stringent field surveillance and reporting in Chandigarh. At National Level, India has been able to remain polio free since 13th January 2011 successfully. However to attain, a polio eradication certification Govt. of India is holding NID/SNID(National/Sub national Immunization Day) at regular intervals till the agencies concerned declare India to have successfully eradicated polio. In this regard, National Immunization Days (NID) are being observed in whole of the country w.e.f January i.e 19 January 2014 to 21st January 2014.
Shri Anil Kumar, Secretary Health, while speaking at a booth in EWS Colony Dhanas, expressed his gratitude to the vaccinators for their dedication and putting the Nation before self. He also said that the provision of better living conditions as has been done by the Chandigarh Administration by providing pucca accommodation at EWS Colony, Dhanas to people previously residing in slums, shall go a long way in decreasing incidence of illness, among the down trodden. Dr.S. K Bhalla, Director Health Services, further, showed his concern that at this time any relaxation to eradicate polio can prove dangerous and shall increase the financial burden on the country.
Therefore, he along with other senior officers from the Department of heath appealed to the public to vaccinate the children during all the future pulse polio rounds as shall be announced by the Govt. of India for the next 1-2 year at least. The crowd of the Tin Colony, Sector-52 was enthusiastic to get their children vaccinated to fight against polio. Secretary Health vaccinated about fifty children at EWS Colony and Tin Colony.
The strict monitoring is being carried out by W.H.O. Also the rotary International team members could be seen working shoulder to shoulder with the teams from the health department at the ground level. Children in the High Risk Areas, roads, streets, nomads etc. are also being covered. The house to house campaign shall be carried out to cover the left out children on 20,21st January 2014. Therefore, the Health Departments appeals to all the residents to cooperate for 100% success. Approx. 59000 nos. of children have been vaccinated on 19th January 2014 in Chandigarh.