Essar Foundation and Essar Bulk Terminal support polio immunization program

Polio immunization remains a focus area for the Government of India. In January, Essar Foundation and Essar Bulk Terminal (EBTL) Paradip lent their support to the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) program. The first phase of the Pulse Polio campaign was held from January 18-20, 2015, at the local government-run community health center in Paradip, Odisha.



Essar Foundation and EBTL provided transportation for the staff carrying the vaccine to the respective booths or immunization points. The drive covered 18 high risk areas including Biju Memorial Government Hospital, anganwadi centers, transit points such as bus terminals and railway stations, and other public places in and around Paradip Port area. Over 9,900 children under the age of five were administered anti-polio drops in the first phase of the Pulse Polio campaign.


 
Essar Foundation officials and the Chief Medical Officer of Biju Memorial Hospital jointly monitored the IPPI program in the area. This helped verify the coverage and identify children who had not been administered the vaccine. Over 20 such cases were found and they were given the polio vaccine.