E-Paper
Uproot polio: CM to CMOs
All the claims made by health authorities over the 'success' of pulse polio drive seems to have failed to please the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. Sensing that there were some big loopholes in the pulse polio drive conducted in past due to which three fresh polio cases were reported in January this year, the CM has expressed grave concern and exhorted the chief medical officers to play a more active role in the polio eradication programme.
All the claims made by health authorities over the 'success' of pulse polio drive seems to have failed to please the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Sensing that there were some big loopholes in the pulse polio drive conducted in past due to which three fresh polio cases were reported in January this year, the CM has expressed grave concern and exhorted the chief medical officers to play a more active role in the polio eradication programme.
In a recent letter to the district administration and health department, the CM said the present situation, as far as polio eradication programme is concerned, was far from satisfactory and calls for some drastic measures.
"Despite intensive pulse polio drives the department failed to achieve the target of zero polio case. The National Council has set the year 2006 for achieving the zero per cent polio target and for this the chief medical officers will have to take more interest in the programme. Three polio cases detected in January 2006 are definitely concerning," Yadav said.
"The district magistrates and divisional commissioners are expected to conduct the pulse polio drive successfully and make a monthly review of the drive. The district administration should depute all the senior administrative officers for close supervision and monitoring. It should be seen that hundred per cent target is achieved during the drive," Yadav further added.
"The chief secretary has been directed to regularly review the progress of the drive. Besides, I will also personally monitor the polio eradication programme in the State," he said.
Dr SK Srivastava, additional director of health, Allahabad division, said they were very close to achieving the target. But with fresh polio cases the situation has again become alarming. 'The concern voiced by the CM was genuine and the department needs to remain very alert in this regard', he added.
