Inkeshaf Ahmed
Although there has been no polio case in India in the last two years, the pulse polio programme is being implemented in India since there are reports of polio in Pakistan. The programme will cover over four million children up to five years of age in Telangana state.

The Telangana government is implementing the universal pulse polio program across the state in two phases. The four-day first phase will be held from January 27, 2018 till January 31, 2018. The second phase will be held from March 11, 2018 till March 14, 2018.

Although India has not reported any polio case for the last couple of years, the Center has decided to hold the program this year as there have been reports of resurfacing of the polio cases in neighbouring Pakistan.

The commissioner of the Telangana health department Vakati Karuna held a video conference with officials of all districts on the issue and issued instructions to make foolproof arrangements.

Telangana has a total of 41,57,210 children up to five years of age. All these children will be administered the polio drops during the two phases. The state government will set up 27,270 Centers to administer the drops. It will deploy 1.09,080 staff nurses, ANMs and doctors to hold the program. Those children who miss the drops on the first day of the program will be administered the polio drops during the door to door campaign to be held on the subsequent days.

The door to door campaign will be held from January 29, 2018, till January 31, 2017 in the first phase of the program. Orders have been issued to all the district level officials to create awareness among those parents who are reluctant to have the polio drops administered to their children. “Our goal is to not leave any of the targeted children during the campaign period. We will sensitize the parents of the children and convince them to get the drops administered to their children for their bright future and polio free life,” an official of the Health  department told DTMT.

The services of different departments like women and child welfare department, Panchayat Raj department, SC, ST, BC and Minorities Welfare department will be roped in to make the program a success. Local public representatives will also be involved in the entire campaign.