Shri P.C. Dhiman, Principal Secretary, Health said that there was a dire need of public participation on massive scale for eradication of polio from the country. He also called upon the Rotarians and NGOs to come forward and give supportive hand to the Government to make the India polio free nation likewise other developed countries as well.
Speaking in an Inter-Agency Coordination meeting on polio eradication programme organized by Rotary International’s India National Pulse Polio Society here today, Shri Dhiman said that the persons who were engaged at grass root level needed to be further motivated and encouraged and involved for effective implementation of the programme.He said that State Government was committed to provide best health care services to the people of the State and also sought cooperation of NGOs and Rotarians to make the health programmes a success in the State. He said that State Government was according priority for health sector and many ambitious progammes had also been launched for the welfare of suffering humanity in the State. He said that the State Health Department had also got three awards consecutively for doing best works in health sector which was a matter of pride for the State.
Shri Dhiman further said that such programmes also help strengthening the coordination between the agencies involved in polio eradication i.e. Rotary International, State Government and WHO who would help in better implementation of the programme.
He also assured organizations working for the goal of polio eradication of suitable and timely measures to identify and track migrant population in the State for immunization against preventable diseases like polio. He said that the meet which focused on immunization of large number of migrants in the State through routine and mass immunization received appreciation from representatives of all polio partner agencies.
Shri Rajender K. Saboo, Former World President of Rotary International said that the year 2011 is seen as very crucial for polio eradication campaign and if we would able to successfully avoid virus outbreaks in the polio free States, this could be the historic year for the campaign.
Shri Yashpal Das, Director, Rotary International emphasized on the role of partnership in achieving the goal of polio eradication from India and other polio endemic countries. He also appealed the Rotarians and health officials to work vigorously at district level to make the programme a success.
Earlier, Shri Manpreet Gandhoke, District Convener welcomed the Chief Guest and others on the occasion.
Shri Prashanta Kumar Roy, Regional Team Leader, North WHO-NPSP, Shri P.C. Lohumi, Veteran Journalist, Shri Dhian Chand, District Governor also spoke on the occasion.
Present among others in the meeting were Shri Vinod Kumar Pathak, Director, Health Services, health officers, representatives of WHO and Rotarians drawn from different parts of the State.