Question : POLIO CASES

(a) whether there is substantial decrease in the number of polio affected cases;

(b) whether the fresh polio cases have come to the notice of the Government in the country;

(c) if so, the number of cases of polio reported in the country during the last three years and the current year so far, till date, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to discontinue pulse polio programme and replace it with a campaign to check and eradicate some other disease;

(e) the names of diseases in regard to which the maximum number of patients are being registered in the country; and

(f) whether the Government is contemplating to launch a special campaign to check such diseases and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY)

(a) Yes.

(b) No.

(c): The number of cases of polio reported in the country during the last three years and the current year so far, till date, State/UT-wise is annexed.

(d): No. Government does not propose to discontinue pulse polio program. The wild polio is continuing to circulate in the other parts of the world and pulse polio programme will maintain population immunity to minimize the risk of importation of polio.

(e): As per the report of the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) on morbidity trend, Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is the illness which is reported maximum in the country.

(f): The Government of India is implementing the following strategies for prevention and control of Acute Respiratory Infection to reduce child mortality:

(1) Capacity building of the health care providers for early diagnosis and management of common childhood illnesses including pneumonia.

(2) Improving child care practices like early initiation of breast feeding with feeding of colostrum, exclusive breast feeding and nutrition counselling.

(3) Immunizing the children with various vaccines namely BCG, DPT, Measles. Pentavalent vaccination has also been introduced in two states namely Tamil Nadu and Kerala.