(a) the estimated number of polio patients in the country as on date;
(b) the reasons for increase in the number of polio patients in the country;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to check the increase in the number of polio patients; and
(d) the schemes proposed to be launched by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SHATRUGHAN SINHA)
(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the table of the Lok Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 159 FOR ANSWER ON 24.7.2002
Since 1992, the number of reported polio cases, as per reports from Central Bureau of Health Intelligence/National Polio Surveillance Project, is 33957.
There has been significant progress towards achieving the goal of eradicating polio from the country by 2005. The number of polio cases has declined from 1934 in 1998, to 1126 in 1999, 265 in 2000, 268 in 2001 and 111 in 2002 (till date). Although the number of polio cases in 2001 remained more or less the same as in 2000, the number of polio-endemic districts in the country came down from 314 in 1998, to 192 in 1999, 89 in 2000, 63 in 2001 and 42 in 2002 (till date). 24 States/Union Territories were polio free during 2001. During 2002, so far, 28 States/Union Territories have not reported any polio case.
The Government is implementing the Pulse Polio Programme with the objective of eradicating Polio from the country and obtaining polio-free certification by 2005. Under this Programme, two National Imunization Days (NIDs) are observed throughout the country during winter, with a gap of 4-8 weeks, for giving polio drops to children under five years of age. Additional Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) are also observed in endemic States. During 2002-03 programme, NIDs are proposed to be held in January/February, 2003. Similarly, SNIDs are proposed to be held in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Delhi in Sepetember and November, 2002. Polio immunization is also an important component of the routine Universal Immunizsation Programme which is being implemented throughout the country, with a special focus on under-performing States/districts through the Immunization Strengthening Project and RCH Outreach Scheme.