Admin committed to universal pulse polio coverage: DC Kargil
KARGIL: The Kargil administration has established 387 Pulse Polio booths across the district to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to nearly 13,500 children in the 0–5 years age group, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, LAHDC Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, said on Sunday, asserting that the administration is committed to ensuring that every eligible child is vaccinated and no child is left out of the immunisation campaign.
The Deputy Commissioner was speaking after inaugurating the district-wide Pulse Polio Programme organised by the Health Department, Kargil, in the presence of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mohd Abass, senior health officials, frontline healthcare workers and other dignitaries.
Commending the efforts of the Health Department and field functionaries, Kumar called for active public participation in the campaign, saying community cooperation remains essential for achieving universal immunisation coverage. He reiterated the administration’s resolve to strengthen healthcare services and secure a healthier future for children across the district.
The Pulse Polio Programme forms part of the National Immunization Drive aimed at sustaining India’s polio-free status by ensuring that every child below five years receives the Oral Polio Vaccine, irrespective of previous immunisation history.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mohd Abass said the department has drawn up a comprehensive block-wise action plan covering all seven blocks of Kargil district to achieve complete coverage despite the challenges posed by difficult terrain, scattered habitations, migratory populations and remote settlements.
He said the campaign focuses on vaccinating every eligible child, reaching remote and high-risk areas, eliminating missed cases, strengthening surveillance and monitoring mechanisms, and intensifying public awareness through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities.
The Health Department has deployed dedicated booth teams comprising Community Health Officers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives, Accredited Social Health Activists, Multi-Purpose Health Workers and local volunteers to implement the programme across the district and ensure uninterrupted delivery of vaccination services.
