Moodubelle, 23 January 2011: The pulse polio programme has started on Sunday, 23rd January 2011 throughout the country in order to immunize the children up to the age of 5 years from the scourge of polio. The programme is being conducted in Moodubelle and surrounding villages as well.
In the Anganwadi near Belle Grama panchayat Office, Mrs. Jacintha Aranha, President of the Grama Panchayat inaugurated the Pulse Polio Programme with symbolically administering polio vaccine to the children. The Anganwadi teachers, Gracy D’Souza, Sunitha and Sujatha were present. The pulse polio programme is being conducted under the supervision of Health centre in charge, Mrs. Sumathi. Mr. Jayakar was also present during the programme.
Similar Pulse Polio Programmes are being held in Thirlapale, Edmeru, Kattingeri and Pernankila.
The Pulse Polio Programme was organised at the Primary Health Centre at Pernankila on Sunday, 23rd January 2011 at 8 am. Dr. Kridshna Prasad Prabhu B., the Medical Officer inaugurated the Pulse Polio Programme. Mr. P. Ramesh Nayak, Pharmacist, Mrs. Jyothi Kiran, Lab Technician and Mrs. Savitha B., nurse were present for the programme. The Anganwadi teachers, Shashikala and Sunitha formally administered the Pulse Polio doses to the children. The programme will continue till the evening.
Pulse Polio is an immunization campaign established by the government of India in 1994 to eradicate poliomyelitis (polio) in India by vaccinating annually all children under age five against poliovirus. Every child up to 5 years of age receives a dose of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).The campaign proved to be successful, and the incidence of poliomyelitis (polio) in India has decreased dramatically: India recorded 4,791 cases of polio in 1994; 2,489 in 1997; 1,600 in 2002; 225 in 2003; and 135 in 2004.
The second phase of the pulse polio immunisation programme will be conducted on February 7.