West Sikkim bags award for 90% full Immunization Coverage

NEW DELHI | Oct 31, 2019:

The West District, Sikkim was awarded with a Certificate and a medal for achieving 90% Full Immunization Coverage under Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) programme in New Delhi today.

The Award was conferred on the occasion of "Pulse Polio Silver Jubilee" commemorative event held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The event was attended by J. P. Nadda, Former Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harshvardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare.

The Award was received by the District Collector, West Karma R. Bonpo and Chief Medical Officer, West Dr. Tsheten Namgyal Bhutia on behalf of the District.

West District, Sikkim is among the 16 other districts of the country which has achieved 90% immunization coverage. The efforts in achieving 90% immunization coverage was due to the efforts of the frontline workers of the Health Department, doctors, nurses ably led by the Chief Medical Officers and supported by the West District Administration.

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Speaking on the occasion Dr. Harshvardhan stated that India has been declared Polio free in the year 2014 and the fight against Polio was a long and momentous journey. He stated that it all began with a single thought that if ballot papers can reach each person, two life saving drops of vaccination too can reach every child.

The success of the Polio vaccination on 2nd October 1994 when Dr Harsh Vardhan was the Health Minister of Delhi led to a countrywide Pulse Polio program from the year 1995.

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In a span of twenty long year, India was finally free of the virus and the success of the campaign was done to the strong Government leadership, hard work and dedication of frontline health workers, community and religious influencers, State Government, civil society organization and professional bodies like IMA, IAP etc , partners such as WHO, Rotary Club and UNICEF.

The Minister stated that the learning from Pulse Polio Campaign has helped in other immunization programme such as the Intensified Mission I.