Pankaj Nath, Assam: The district-level inaugural programme of the National Immunization Day (NID) campaign was inaugurated by District Commissioner Kamrup, Assam Deba Kumar Mishra in the presence of Additional District Commissioner (Health) Monika Borgohain on Sunday at Singimari-Dadara Model Hospital under Hajo BPHC. The district has set a target of immunizing approximately 1,99,637 children in the 0–5 years age group during the three-day campaign, which commenced on June 28 and will continue till June 30. The campaign aims to ensure that every eligible child receives the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), reaffirming the district’s commitment towards sustaining a polio-free India. For successful implementation of the campaign, a total of 1,180 vaccination booths, including institutional and transit booths at health institutions and roadside locations, have been established across the district.
A workforce comprising 4,486 health workers, 236 booth supervisors, 54 sector officers, over 26 block-level supervisors, besides district and block-level supervisory teams, has been deployed. Special arrangements have also been made through boat clinics to cover riverine and other high-risk areas, ensuring that no eligible child is left out of the immunization drive. Speaking on the occasion, the District Commissioner said that the National Immunization Day is an important public health initiative aimed at protecting children in the 0–5 years age group. He expressed confidence that the health workers of Kamrup district would work with dedication to achieve the immunization target within the stipulated three days. He also appealed to all parents and guardians to ensure that every eligible child is administered the Oral Polio Vaccine during the campaign. To ensure effective implementation of the programme, the district administration had earlier convened two District Task Force meetings under the chairmanship of the District Commissioner.
Detailed planning and coordination were undertaken to facilitate the smooth conduct of the campaign. The district has received a total of 2,19,600 doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), which have been distributed to 43 Cold Chain Points (CCPs) across the district. Training has also been imparted to all health workers, with special emphasis on covering high risk and hard-to-reach areas, including riverine regions through boat clinics. The inaugural programme was attended by State Surveillance Officer (IDSP) Dr. Bharati Barkakoti, Joint Director of Health Services Dr. Ajit Das, CM&HO (CD), Additional CM&HO-cum-District Immunization Officer, SDM&HO (Hajo BPHC), Deputy Superintendent of Singimari-Dadara Model Hospital, officials of the Health Department and members of the public.
