S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Jan 18: "A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." This proverb has not missed the Kashmir valley this time as some miscreants used social networking sites like Facebook and WhatsApp for false information that several children had died due to the vaccines.
On Sunday panic spread across the valley that some children died while being administered pulse polio drops.
The rumours made rounds when children up to five years of age were being administered the drops.
A rumour monger had post fake news about the death of children by pulse polio immunization in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The rumors spread like a wildfire in Kashmir valley which had triggered a mad run to hospitals by hundreds of anxious parents with their children.
After the rumors, all the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the concerned districts were directed by the higher authorities to constitute mobile teams for conducting door-to-door surveys in the district.
Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Baldev said that after rumors it was all reversal and till Sunday evening 84 percent children were administered pulse polio drops in the whole state and 90% was achieved in Kashmir valley.
"We have not received today's report yet as we had mobilized all the manpower to visit door to door so that no children could be left uncovered," said Director.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, S J M Geelani told Early Times that they are examining the people and some have been called for questioning, adding that no formal arrest has been made so for.
An official from health department said that around 1, 77,000 children were targeted in the Srinagar district for which 3,000 employees and volunteers were deputed. At Budgam, About 1, 00,500 children are being targeted in the district for which 2,252 workers and volunteers were deployed, while as 40,698 children were covered in Ganderbal district for which 957 employees were deputed for making immunization programme successful.
In Anantnag district of South Kashmir 1, 34,229 children were immunized for which 2,468 employees including health workers, ASHA workers, Anganwari workers were deployed. In Pulwama about 85,979 children were covered under the programme for which 1,780 personnel of health department were deployed, while as 42,520 children were covered in Shopian for which 855 personnel were deployed. At Kulgam, 91546 children between the age group of 0-5years were covered by employing services of 2020 workers.
In North Kashmir's Bandipora district, around 60,459 children were covered in the drive for which 1,300 employees were deputed.
In Baramulla district about 1, 54,190 children were immunized for which 3,380 members including volunteers were deputed and at Kupwara, 134405 children were covered for which 3016 employees were deployed. |
