Polio networks to play crucial role in COVID-19 vaccine rollout: WHO

Uttar Pradesh, probably the most populous State in the nation, used polio micro-plans twice in the final three months to assist determine over two lakh individuals with COVID-19 signs. These individuals have been then followed-up and examined for COVID-19, mentioned Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director WHO South-East Asia, whereas citing U.P. for example of making use of methods from polio eradication programmes, to assist include the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a launch issued by the WHO, South East Asia Region, Dr. Singh additionally indicated that in the approaching months “polio networks, with their vast knowledge on vaccination and tools and strategies tailored to reach the unreached and the most vulnerable, could play a critical role for COVID-19 vaccination roll out.”

Also learn | Gear up for vaccine roll out, WHO tells countries

She added that in U.P., the surveillance medical officers’ workforce coordinated with the State authorities and an enormous initiative of house-to-house surveillance to determine individuals with signs of influenza-like sickness and co-morbidities was carried out. This lined 208 million individuals throughout all 75 districts.

Stating that the polio-network has been successfully used in south-east Asia area in the course of the pandemic, she mentioned: “Within weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak, the integrated surveillance and immunisation networks in five polio priority countries of the region were re-purposed to support preparedness and response. Working among the most vulnerable population and areas, these networks are helping health authorities to detect, test, track, isolate and even prepare hospitals to provide adequate and timely treatment.”

Dr Singh mentioned that from aiding coordination on the nationwide and sub-national ranges, to coaching and constructing capacities for laboratory and different well being staff for detecting instances, tracing contacts, and assessing public perceptions to hospital readiness and preparedness, the WHO’s polio surveillance networks in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Nepal, are supporting with methods and initiatives, refined through the years and which helped the area obtain polio-free certification in March 2014.

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Meanwhile, the Health Ministry in its launch on Monday mentioned India has recorded lower than 500 deaths (480) in the final 24 hours.

“As part of the COVID-19 management and response policy, there has been a sharp focus of the Central Government on not only containing COVID-19, but to reduce deaths. Collaborative efforts of the Union and State/UT governments have resulted in strengthening of the health facilities across the country. 2218 Dedicated COVID hospitals are providing quality medical care,” mentioned the Ministry.

It added that the truth that many States have carried out inhabitants surveys to map and determine the weak inhabitants just like the aged, pregnant ladies and people with comorbidities, had additionally helped.

“This, with the help of technological solutions like mobile apps, has ensured keeping the high-risk population under continuous observation, thus aiding early identification, timely clinical treatment and reducing fatalities. At the ground level, frontline health workers like ASHAs and ANMs have helped to manage the migrant population and to enhance awareness at the community level. And as a result 14 States and UTs have case fatality rate lower than 1%,” mentioned the Ministry.

These states embody Kerala, Nagaland, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Manipur amongst others. India has additionally reported 59,105 new recoveries in the final 24 hours, with Karnataka contributing most with greater than 10,000 instances {followed} by Kerala with greater than 7,000 instances.

“45,148 new confirmed cases were registered in the last 24 hours in the country. This is the lowest since 22nd July when 37,000 new cases were added,” mentioned the Ministry.