Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday launched first phase of Pulse Polio programme-2017 from Nalagarh in district Solan by administering oral polio drops to the children.
As per the state health officials, a total of 6,74,240 children in the 0-5 years age group would be administered Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in the first phase launched on Sunday, which will continue till January 31. As many as, 5876 booths have been set up in the state for the purpose and 23482 officials of various departments have been engaged in the process.
Around 85417 children will be given polio drops in Solan district in the first phase.
The Chief Minister has directed the health officials to ensure that every child between 0-5 years age group is administered OPV. He said though our country and state is polio free but sustained efforts should be made to keep every child away from the dysfunction.
He said that a check should be kept on floating and migratory population, especially in border areas and industrial belts of the state and ensure to administer polio drops to their children as well.
Himachal was declared polio free in the year 2009 and last case was reported in Nalagarh area.
For the Pulse Polio programme, instructions have been issued to transport authorities to direct drivers of State-owned buses and private operators to stop at bus stands and on designated road side polio booths, so that children travelling may be administered polio vaccine. Similarly, officials of Industries Department have been directed to cover labour colonies for the purpose.
The second phase will be held from April 2 to 4.
later, while addressing people at Dhana in Nalagarh constituency, Virbhadra Singh announced that Raipura to Uparli Dhang and Bodhla to Ratyod bridges would be constructed by Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority.
He said that BBN area was being developed as world class industrial hub and more than `100 crore had been
incurred on infrastructural development.