DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION
PRESS RELEASE
Chandigarh.22 September,2020: With 103% coverage during Pulse Polio SNID September round, Health Department UT Chandigarh once again proved dedication, efforts and hard work of COVID warriors who had performed so efficiently despite of COVID-19 Pandemic.
Sub national Polio round was conducted as per GOI directives from 20th September in identified High risk/Vulnerable areas of UT, Chandigarh . India has been declared a polio free country in 2012 and Chandigarh reported its last case in 2006. However National/Sub-National campaigns ensure that we maintain polio-free status considering active circulation of polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan which have reported 70 and 46 cases respectively in 2020.
Considering the surge of COVID cases in UT Chandigarh and with many health workforce either infected or quarantined the round was a big challenge but was conducted successfully achieving 103% coverage against estimated targets due to concerted efforts and leadership of Dr. G. Dewan, DH&FW cum MD (NHM) . We have maintained status of 100% coverage as shown in previous year reports of Pulse Polio rounds.
Success behind this achievement lies in meticulous micro planning, updated enlisting of High risk/Vulnerable area sites, Orientation of all Sector Supervisors in Infection prevention and control protocols to be followed during Polio Campaign. This was followed up by cascade training of vaccinators by the Sector supervisors at all levels.
As per instructions received from GOI that SNID needs to be conducted in Containment Zones too. And with target of 65794 children from approx. 75 identified high risk areas with approx. 33 children from 27 Containment Zones, our Polio Teams have immunized 67826 children.
To boost up the morale of Pulse Polio Team and to keep them motivated, It was ensured that adequate protective gears like masks, gloves, head covers, sanitizers etc. are made available to them. Stickers with COVID prevention messages were also provided to each team for display to promote COVID appropriate behaviours in the community.
Stringent Monitoring & Supervision was done at by the Senior Health Officials and WHO monitors. WHO Monitors also appreciated hard work and dedication of all Polio teams and found the quality of the work very Satisfactory.
