Polio prgramme stalled as health workers faces opposition

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 11: Health officials in Kaliachak block are worried about implementing special immunisation activities (SIA) in September to eradicate ‘wild polio virus’ from the region after the death of a kid at Momimpur (Churi-More) on 3 August. Health officials including the workers of integrated child development scheme (ICDS) are apprehending strong resistance from the local people following the death of a five year old child after immunisation. It may be recalled that the son of Mr Saidul Sheikh died on 3 August after having administered pulse polio drop in the morning from the booth no. 7 under Silampur Gram Panchayat II. After the death of the child, villagers decided not allow the health workers to administer pulse polio drop next month. The panchayat members could not pacify them. Though the local health officials could not examine the baby and find the exact cause of his death, they claimed that the baby died owing to other health problem. Interestingly, the chief medical officer of health, Dr RR Banik said: “I don't have such information. I need to check the report from health officials. If we face any resistance we must take initiative to overcome the problem”. The CMOH, Dr Banik admitted that some areas in Kaliachak have been identified as pockets where the health officials have been facing problem to implement polio immunisation programme. It may be noted that after detection of ‘wild’ poliovirus in Bihar and Jharkhand the health authorities have decided to implement a SIA (special immunisation activities) in adjoining three blocks such Kaliachak I, II and III in Malda and entire district of north Dinajpur. Besides national day of pulse polio immunisation, the SIA would be implemented continuously until banish ‘wild’ poliovirus in this region, the CMOH said.