Question : REHABILITATION OF POLIO AFFECTED CHILDREN

(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey with regard to the total number of polio-affected children in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to spend more amount on polio vaccination in those States that are at high risk of polio disease during the current year;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme to provide cash and necessary equipments to all the polio-affected children;

(f) if so, whether it has also been proposed to rehabilitate such polio-affected children; and

(g) if so, the total amount likely to be spent on this programme alongwith the time by which this programme is likely to be launched?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) & (b): Ministry has list of all polio cases with addresses that have occurred since 1998, through effective surveillance system.

(c) & (d): Government of India proposes to undertake additional round of Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) in the highly-endemic areas of Polio virus transmission. The PPI rounds are conducted as per the recommendations of India Expert Advisory Group.

(e) to (g): Yes Sir. Government has decided to formulate a scheme for corrective surgery for polio affected children between the age group of 3-18 yrs. in the country for their medical rehabilitation. For the purpose a committee has been constituted chaired by Additional Director General Health Services to formulate and recommend the scheme. Government on acceptance of the scheme will implement the same in the period of two to three years.