LEH: The Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign was launched across all blocks of Leh district on Sunday, with the Health Department stepping up efforts to ensure that every child below the age of five receives the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) as part of the nationwide drive to sustain India’s polio-free status.
The district-level campaign was inaugurated at Sonam Norboo Memorial (SNM) District Hospital by Director of Health Services, UT Ladakh, Dr. Tashi Thinles, who administered polio drops to a newborn, formally marking the commencement of the immunisation drive.
The inaugural programme was attended by Deputy Director Health Services Dr. Dolma Choskit, Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr. Rinchen Chosdol, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Skarma Yontan, Medical Superintendent, SNM Hospital, Dr. Yangchan Dolma, and District Immunisation Officer Dr. Farhana Iqbal.
The campaign was launched simultaneously across all blocks of the district. In Tangtse, the drive was inaugurated by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mohd Ismail Gaine, while Block Medical Officers led the launch in Leh, Nubra and Nyoma. In Khaltsi, the campaign was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Kunzes Angmo, who administered polio drops to an eligible child.
Health officials said vaccination teams have been mobilised across the district to ensure universal coverage of eligible children and appealed to parents and caregivers to bring every child below five years of age for immunisation. They reiterated that sustained public participation remains essential to protecting children against poliomyelitis and preserving Ladakh’s polio-free status.
