The 13th Special National Immunisation Day was inaugurated at Mohakhali EPI Bhaban in the city yesterday.

On Sunday, the first round of the 13th special National Immunisation Day (NID) will take place. Two other rounds are scheduled for May 13 and June 11.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Khandoker Mosharraf Hossain inaugurated the programme as chief guest through feeding polio vaccine to several children.

Dr Mosharraf mentioned that Bangladesh was made "polio-free" through observing 12 national immunisation days and a sub-NID drive.

"This immunisation day has been necessitated by the fact that Rahima of Chandpur district has been affected with polio virus after Bangladesh has enjoyed polio-free status for five years and 8 months," he said.

He urged all to make the special NID a success so that no more children get infected with polio after the Rahima case.

He sought cooperation and direct participation in the programme of all sections of society "to protect our children from polio disease".

Health Secretary ALM Jafar Ullah Khan, Director General of Family Planning Department MA Akmal Hossain Azad, Japanese Ambassador Matshusiro Hariguchi, WHO Representative in Bangladesh Dr Duangvadee Subgkhobol, UNICEF Representative Louis Geores Arsenalt and ex-president of Rotary International MK Bangduranga Setty also spoke at the function with Director General of Health Department Prof Dr Md Shahadat Hossain in the chair.

Bangladesh has been polio-free since August 2000 following extensive vaccination operation against the child-killer.