DISCUSS MEASURES TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE IN LOW PERFORMING DISTRICTS
The Department of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) organized a State Task Force meeting to review the ongoing Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign (M-RVC) on October 25 at the Conference Hall of the principal secretary’s office.
According to a DIPR report, H&FW principal secretary, I. Himato Zhimomi, who also chaired the meeting, urged the State and District Task Force and partners to continue follow up actions and their support in order to achieve the maximum coverage. He suggested that the officers highlight the success stories of the districts with high percentages of vaccination to inspire districts with lower response. He further appealed to all parents to make and informed choice and avail the opportunity for betterment of their children. He also requested the media to continue their support, highlighting the coverage of the MR Vaccination.
SIO-UIP, Dr. Atoshe Sema said that the vaccination campaign was being done in four types of session sites – educational institutes, outreach sites, mobile/special team, & facility based session sites. He added that supporting departments, other than H&FW are; School & Mass Education, Women & Child Development, Home Affairs, Information & Public Relations, Housing & Urban Development, Civil Aviation, Road Transport, Defence, Sports & Youth Services, Panchayati Raj, Canara Bank, Lions Club, and SBI.
He further reported that in Nagaland the M-RVC coverage, as on October 23, stood at 448504, with an overall percentage of 76.62, where Dimapur’s percentage is 66.14%, Kiphire 91.13%, Kohima 71.27%, Longleng 96.88%, Mokokchung 95.36%, Mon 88.08%, Peren 85.73%, Phek 58.7%, Tuensang 94.06%, Wokha 80.51%, and Zunheboto 75.85%.
SMO, Dr. Sheila Longkumer said that overall, communication plans were well executed from the State through workshops for faith based organizations and media personnel and there was a very good involvement of staff at all levels of the State for the ongoing M-RVC. Due to coordination between the departments and partners, the State had hit 75% coverage in 20 days. She also said that certain issues were identified such as negative messages related to prophecies, rumours and reporting of adverse events in neighbouring states which caused fear and hesitancy among the people, which in turn led to reluctance and refusal to be vaccinated. In order to achieve 100% coverage, she further said that there should be re-planning in the areas where enumeration and target setting has not been done properly, including field validation of border areas/disputed areas to find missed pockets. A State level special monitor for Phek district will also be needed since that district has the lowest percentage of M-RVC coverage and the highest vaccine wastage percentage.
Earlier, an opening remark was delivered by MD, NHM. Other highlights included presentation from the departments and UNDF, UNICEF & others, followed by the discussion.
M-RVC at SSP
A M-RVC camp was organised at Sainik School Punglwa on October 23, under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Health department of Nagaland.
A press release from SSP stated that a team led by Dr. Imnuksungba, epidemiologist from CMO, Peren district, successfully initiated and organised the campaign at SSPN.
All cadets and children of school employees aged between 9 months to 15 years were vaccinated in the camp. The M-RVC is a part of global efforts to reduce illness and deaths due to measles and rubella in the country.
The school has thanked CMO Peren, and Dr. Imnuksungba and his team for the initiative to provide health benefits to all children of the school.