Mizoram has emerged as one of the country's leading performers in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme, with Health Minister Lalrinpuii saying the state now aims to become India's top-ranked state in the immunisation drive.
Speaking at the launch of the National Immunisation Day (NID) Pulse Polio programme in Aizawl on Wednesday, the minister said Mizoram currently ranks third nationwide in the HPV vaccination campaign, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28.
Calling for greater efforts from health officials and frontline workers, Lalrinpuii expressed confidence that the state could soon climb to the top of the national rankings.
She said Mizoram's relatively small population of around 1.6 million enables the government to deliver healthcare services more effectively, while also placing greater responsibility on authorities to meet public expectations and maintain high standards.
Also read: Over 1 lakh girls vaccinated under Assam HPV drive
The minister highlighted the performance of Lunglei district, which exceeded its vaccination target by achieving 107 per cent coverage. During the 90-day campaign between February 28 and May 31, the district vaccinated 1,326 adolescent girls against a target of 1,243.
Lalrinpuii also stressed the importance of sustaining routine immunisation despite India having remained polio-free since 2014. She welcomed the strong participation of parents in the Pulse Polio campaign, attributing it to extensive awareness programmes conducted across the state.
She also praised healthcare workers for helping Mizoram secure National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certifications and improve key health indicators, including the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), achievements that have earned the state recognition among India's "Eligible States".
Health and Family Welfare Department Additional Secretary Lalnunmawii Ralte cautioned that vigilance against polio must continue, noting that while India has reported no polio cases since 2011, the disease remains present in neighbouring Myanmar, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
More than one lakh children below the age of five are being targeted under this year's Pulse Polio campaign across Mizoram's 11 districts.
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