?Fresh polio cases point towards laxity?

Concerned over the fresh polio cases in UP and other parts of country, State's Minister for Family Welfare, Ahmed Hassan, startled the district health authorities with a bout of plainspeaking that was far from sedentary, as expected by the senior health officials.

Concerned over the fresh polio cases in UP and other parts of country, State's Minister for Family Welfare, Ahmed Hassan, startled the district health authorities with a bout of plainspeaking that was far from sedentary, as expected by the senior health officials.

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He said the fresh polio cases indicate poor planning and some serious irregularities in pulse polio drives conducted in the past.

Although no case was reported from Allahabad district but there was a big threat of the transmission of virus from one district to another.

The forthcoming polio drive should be conducted with extra care as any irregularity spotted during the drive would not be tolerated, he said.
Addressing the polio and family planning review meeting at the Circuit House here on Sunday, Hassan said not only the health department but the district administration was also expected to participate in the drive.

This time the department is expected to increase the conversion rate of 'XL' (house found locked during house-to-house activity) and 'XO' (child out of station) into 'P' for hundred per cent immunisation of children.
The polio vaccination should also be given a priority in the routine immunisation programme.

"The department has also been warned to improve the target of family planning programme. Instead of waiting for winter for organising sterilisation camps, the department should start motivating people for the family planning operation right now.

The temporary family planning devices like IUD should also be promoted along with the programme," Hassan further added.

CMO Dr Shantimal Singhavi and other senior health departments officers were also present at the meeting.