Mangaluru: The district-level Pulse Polio immunisation programme for Dakshina Kannada was formally launched on Sunday at Lady Goschen Hospital in Mangaluru, marking the beginning of a large-scale public health campaign aimed at protecting children against polio.
The programme was inaugurated by Ivan D’Souza, who administered polio drops to children and officially launched the district-wide drive.
Addressing the gathering, Ivan D’Souza stressed the importance of complete immunisation and urged parents to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine.
“It is the duty of parents to ensure that every child under the age of five is given the polio vaccine. Every child is a national asset. Hence, their health must be given due importance,” he said.
Large-scale immunisation drive across district
Health officials said the district has set a target of covering 1,40,677 children in the age group of 0 to 5 years under the Pulse Polio campaign. To achieve this, the Health Department has established a total of 756 immunisation booths across Dakshina Kannada.
The campaign forms part of the nationwide effort to maintain India’s polio-free status and prevent the re-emergence of the disease through sustained immunisation coverage.
Officials emphasised that administering polio drops to every eligible child remains crucial, particularly in ensuring that no child is left out of the vaccination programme.
Special teams deployed in Mangaluru
In addition to the booths, 26 transit teams and three mobile teams have been deployed in Mangaluru city to reach children who may be travelling with their families during the campaign.
The transit teams have been stationed at major transport hubs, including bus stands, railway stations and airports, to administer polio drops to children on the move.
Special vaccination teams have also been deployed at important pilgrimage centres such as Kukke Subramanya Temple, Dharmasthala Temple and Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple, where a large number of visitors are expected during the period.
Health authorities said these measures have been taken to ensure that children travelling with their families are not missed during the immunisation drive.
Focus on migrant children
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr H R Thimmaiah said special arrangements have also been made to cover approximately 506 migrant children in the district under the campaign.
The department has identified vulnerable groups and made dedicated efforts to ensure that migrant families and children living in temporary settlements receive access to the vaccine.
Officials said achieving complete immunisation coverage is essential to maintaining herd immunity and protecting future generations from the debilitating effects of polio.
Officials attend inaugural programme
Several senior health officials attended the inaugural event at Lady Goschen Hospital, including District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr H R Thimmaiah, Lady Goschen Hospital Superintendent Dr M R Durga Prasad, Health Department officials Dr B V Rajesh and Health Education Officer Jyothi Ulepaadi.
The officials reiterated the importance of community participation and appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that every child below five years of age receives polio drops during the campaign.
The Pulse Polio programme has played a crucial role in eradicating polio from India, and health authorities have expressed confidence that the district will achieve its target of covering all eligible children through the coordinated efforts of healthcare workers and volunteers.