When it comes to administering two drops of polio vaccine to a child, even Naxalites prefer to put their guns down in Chhattisgarh.
If state health officials are to be believed, the Naxals are not a stumbling block to administer the oral polio vaccine in the red zone of Bastar, though they have been affecting other health services in the pockets under their sway.
The first phase of this year’s pulse polio drive in the state started today. The second phase will be on February 7.
“The Naxalites are not affecting the pulse polio drive and the field staffers are discharging their duties effectively in administering the polio drops to infants in the entire Bastar region,” said Subhash Pandey, deputy director of the health department and state expanded programme on immunisation officer.
About 350,000 children below the age of five years will be administered polio vaccine in the Bastar region — the country’s worst Naxal-infested pocket.
The health department has made all necessary preparations to conduct the drive successfully.
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“Normally, the Naxalites identity the campaign volunteers and do not cause any harm even as they move freely in the disturbed areas,” Pandey said.
He added that the department had also arranged vehicles in the interior areas to bring the children to the nearest polio booths.
Set aside the polio drive, the overall health services have been affected in the interior areas of Bastar where the rebels hold sway.