Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jan 15: "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the first phase of polio drive on January 17 at Bengaluru. The department has aimed to vaccinate 74.25 lac children under 5 years in the state on the campaign days," stated health minister, UT Khader at a press meet he addressed at Circuit House here on Friday January 15.

In the entire state which includes villages, towns and cities there will be 32,617 booths, 51,732 teams, 1,03,464 vaccination volunteers, 6,522 supervisors, 1,205 mobile units and 1,736 transit teams. The second phase of polio vaccination will be from Febraury 22.

He also added that Mission Indradhanush has been successful. Parents must come forward to routinely immunize their children. He also said that in some parts of Hyderabad Karnataka, the level of literacy is less and so parents do not immunize their children. Religious leaders must educate the people about the importance of immunization.

The district has 932 booths, 3,828 vaccination volunteers, 192 supervisors, 8 mobile units, 28 transit teams.

He also added that the Udupi Government hospital will be upgraded by having more doctors and staff. The department will also hold state level meetings to build mother-child hospitals in the area very soon.

When asked about the protest by the 108 ambulance drivers, U T Khader said, "Ambulances will run on the roads as usual and no one can pressurize the government."

In reply to questions pertaining to Endosulphan victims he said, "If the Endosulfan victims do not receive a stipend or are facing any problem, let them bring it to the notice of the DHO and the matter will be looked into.