Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jan 17: The first phase of national pulse polio programme was inaugurated by district in charge minister B Ramanath Rai along with member of oarliament Nalin Kumar Kateel at Lady Goschen Hospital here on Sunday, January 17.

All the dignitaries formally inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp and then Ramanath Rai and Nalin Kumar Kateel administered polio drops to children.

Addressing the gathering, Rai said, "Today the whole world is trying to be polio-free. All parents especially mothers should ensure that pulse polio drops are regularly administered to young children to prevent ocurrence of the dreadful disease. The pulse polio drops must be compulsorily taken. Otherwise the future of the children will be at risk. Filariasis and other communicable diseases were common in the past but due to repeated efforts, these diseases have been completely eradicated. Parents should not show laziness in administering polio drops to children below 5 years of age."

The second phase of polio vaccination will be held on February 22. The health department has aimed to vaccinate 74.25 lac children under 5 years in the state on the campaign days. In the entire state which includes villages, towns and cities there are 32,617 booths, 51,732 teams, 1,03,464 vaccination volunteers, 6,522 supervisors, 1,205 mobile units and 1,736 transit teams.

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

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred, MCC commissioner Dr H S Gopalakrishna, corporator Prakash Salian, DHO Ramakrishna Rao and others were present.