Mangaluru: The Department of Health has set a target of administering polio drops to 1.4 lakh children below the age of five years in Dakshina Kannada district as part of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme to be held on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah said elaborate arrangements have been made across the district to ensure that every eligible child receives the life-saving vaccine.
756 booths set up across district
Mangaluru district health authorities have established a total of 756 booths to administer polio drops between 8 am and 5 pm on Sunday.
Of these, 727 are fixed booths, while 26 transit booths will function at key public locations, including bus stands, railway stations and the Mangaluru International Airport. Three mobile booths will also be deployed in Mangaluru city to reach children who may otherwise miss the immunisation drive.
Dr. Thimmaiah said the extensive network of vaccination centres has been planned to ensure maximum coverage and to prevent any child from being left out of the programme.
Focus on high-risk areas
The Health Department has identified 201 high-risk areas across the district, including places where there are no primary health sub-centres.
More than 52,000 children are expected to receive polio drops in these areas. Special attention is being given to vulnerable populations and locations that have traditionally posed challenges for healthcare delivery.
In addition, 124 sites where migrant labourers reside have been identified, and more than 500 children living in these settlements are expected to be covered under the immunisation campaign.
Health officials said the special arrangements reflect the department’s commitment to achieving complete immunisation coverage and preventing the resurgence of polio.
Transit booths at major locations
To facilitate easy access for travelling families, transit booths will be established at strategic locations across the district.
Apart from bus stands and railway stations, transit booths will also be set up at prominent temples, including the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple and the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple.
The Health Department expects these transit centres to play a crucial role in reaching children accompanying their families on travel or pilgrimage during the immunisation drive.
Public representatives to participate
Health and Family Welfare Minister U. T. Khader will participate in the state-level Pulse Polio Programme to be held in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, Mangaluru City MLAs and other local elected representatives will take part in the district-level programme scheduled to be held at the Government Lady Goschen Hospital.
Officials said the participation of elected representatives would help raise awareness among the public and encourage parents to ensure that their children receive the polio vaccine.
Appeal to parents
The Department of Health has appealed to parents and guardians to bring all children below the age of five years to the nearest polio booth on Sunday, regardless of whether they have previously received polio vaccinations.
Health authorities emphasised that every dose of the vaccine is essential to maintaining the district’s polio-free status and safeguarding children from the debilitating disease.
With extensive preparations in place and hundreds of healthcare personnel and volunteers involved in the campaign, the district administration is aiming for 100 per cent coverage and hopes to achieve its target of administering polio drops to all 1.4 lakh eligible children in Dakshina Kannada.