First stage of final oral polio immunization held in NE

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 September 2003, 19:27 GMT]
The first stage of sub-national final oral Polio immunization programme in the northeast province with the assistance of UNICEF was held Saturday at several centres in the eight districts of the province inspite of the strike of the Health Sector Trade Unions Federation Alliance, provincial health ministry official said.

However, the inaugural event of the sub-national programme scheduled to be held at the office of the Trincomalee Medical Officer of Health Saturday morning was cancelled due to the current strike which entered fourth day, crippling the activities of a majority of government hospitals in the country, sources said.

The members of the Trincomalee Rotary Club and Rotaract Clubs came to the rescue of the provincial health departmental officials to assist the health officials in organizing the sub-national programme in Trincomalee, sources said.



Members and officials of the Trincomalee Rotary Club/ Interact Club pose for photograph before they go to their respective centres in the Trincomalee town to assist in giving oral dose to children


The national programme started in the year 1995 came to a conclusion in the year 2000 in other provinces in the country, a provincial health official said.

"This sub-national programme is to conclude this year, 2003, as the health authorities expect all children in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam held areas in the northeast province could be immunized because of the prevailing peace environment since the signing of the ceasefire agreement by the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE," a health ministry official said.

In the past, children less than five years were immunized but this year children less than ten years are being immunized, provincial ministry official said.

THe officials said that the second stage will be held on October 18.



Trincomalee Rotary Club President Mr.R.Rajarammohan gives first polio oral dose to a child at the Trincomalee MOH's office Saturday. Immmediate Past President of Trincomalee Rotary Club Attorney-at-Law Mr.R.Thirukumaranathan is also seen