Shimla, Dec 22: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday launched the state-level Intensified Pulse Polio Campaign at Kamla Nehru Hospital here on the occasion of National Immunisation Day.
Nearly six lakh children up to the age of five years will be administered polio drops across the state, officials said. A total of 5,793 polio booths have been set up and 11,706 vaccination teams deployed to ensure smooth implementation of the campaign.
Mop-up days will be observed on December 22 and 23, during which door-to-door visits will be carried out to cover missed children, migrant families and those living in high-risk areas. All required vaccines, cold-chain equipment and other logistics have been supplied to all districts, the Chief Minister said.
Addressing the gathering, Sukhu said the state government was strengthening health services at all levels, from primary health centres to medical colleges, while giving top priority to the health and education sectors.
He announced that an Advanced Paediatric Centre would be established at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties, Chamiyana, which would provide world-class treatment facilities for children. He also said special OPD consultation slots would be introduced in hospitals for senior citizens above 70 years of age to ensure timely and convenient treatment.
The Chief Minister said modern technology and infrastructure were being upgraded in the health sector, with robotic surgery already introduced at Chamiyana and Tanda. He added that the government was spending nearly Rs 3,000 crore on installing MRI, CT scan and X-ray machines and replacing old equipment in medical colleges and hospitals.
Health services in the state are being upgraded on the lines of AIIMS, Delhi, and modern trauma centres equipped with advanced facilities have been established to provide better care to patients, Sukhu said.
He also appreciated the efforts of doctors, anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, ANMs, Panchayati Raj institutions, school teachers and the district administrations for the successful conduct of the Intensified Pulse Polio Campaign.
