Karkal, 26 Oct 2013: The days are not very far when India would be free from polio, owing to the joint efforts of the government and Rotary Club International (RCI). Pulse Polio is the RCI’s ambitious social welfare programme, said Belman Primary Health Centre (PHC) medical officer Dr Satish.
Dr Satish was the chief guest speaking during World Polio Day programme, that was jointly organized by RCI – Belman, Rotaract Club and Interact Club and Rotary community wing, at St Joseph’s High School, Belman, near here on Thursday October 24.
Polio cases are not reported in the coastal district since the past 3 years. The children of migrant laborers who were not administered the pulse polio, likely to be affected, while the health department is compulsorily administering pulse polio twice a year, to all the children below the age of 5 years as a precautionary measure, said Dr Satish.
Speaking on the occasion, RCI district former vice governor B Pundalika Marate said that today India is likely to become polio-free because RCI had launched this ambitious programme during 1945. Meanwhile, the administering of polio-pulse will continue for another 5 to 6 years, said Marate.
Madhav Suvarna, St Joseph’s High School head teacher Renilda Pereira, Interact president Manisha Mascarenhas, Interact teacher co-ordinator Haridas Prabhu, Rotaract speaker Sunil Devadiga were present at the dais.
RCI – Belman designated president Suresh Rao, Mohandas Shetty, Rajesh Acharya, Satish Mada, teacher Anita Kamalini, Angeline D’Souza, Interact secretary Joel Simon, N K Sridar, Mervin Mendonca, Jitesh Kanchan, students were also present on the occasion.
RCI – Belman vice president Muralidar Jogi welcomed the gathering. The community service director Alwyn Neri Pinto comjpered the programme. The secretary Vignesh Shenoy proposed vote of thanks.