Karnataka Launches Pulse Polio Drive; CM D.K. Shivakumar Urges Parents to Vaccinate All Children Below Five
Bengaluru, June 28: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday launched the State-level Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme and appealed to parents across Karnataka to ensure that every child below the age of five receives the polio vaccine, saying a healthy family is the foundation of a healthy State and nation.
Launching the campaign by administering polio drops to children at his official residence in Sadashivanagar, Shivakumar said the State Government has set a target of vaccinating 60.84 lakh children under this year’s Pulse Polio campaign.
“The government has designed this Pulse Polio programme to secure the future of our children. Parents in every part of Karnataka should ensure that children below five years receive the vaccine. A healthy family leads to a healthy State and a healthy nation,” he said.
The Chief Minister said 36,686 vaccination centres, 988 mobile teams, and 2,125 transit booths have been established across Karnataka for the campaign. A total of 1,14,213 vaccination personnel have been deployed, while several non-governmental organisations have joined the immunisation drive.
He thanked all healthcare workers, volunteers and partner organisations for supporting what he described as a national service.
Shivakumar recalled that the country’s Pulse Polio programme was initiated during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later expanded into a nationwide campaign during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi. He said India achieved the status of a polio-free nation during the government led by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
He said the vaccination campaign continues to remain important to prevent the re-entry of the disease from neighbouring countries and to ensure that no child suffers disability due to polio.
Karnataka’s Healthcare Among the Best in India: CM
Highlighting Karnataka’s healthcare infrastructure, Shivakumar said the State has developed one of the country’s strongest health and medical education ecosystems.
“People from across the country and abroad visit Karnataka for quality healthcare services. Our State has become a preferred destination for health tourism,” he said.
According to the Chief Minister, Karnataka produces nearly 13,940 doctors every year and trains around 1.07 lakh healthcare professionals annually.
He said graduates from Karnataka’s medical colleges are serving in several countries around the world and contributing significantly to global healthcare.
Shivakumar added that over the past three years, the State Government has accorded priority approval to proposals relating to the Health and Medical Education Departments to further strengthen public healthcare services.
Health Minister U.T. Khader was present during the launch of the State-level Pulse Polio programme.
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