Dimapur, May 25 (EMN): Taking into account 78,000 deaths in India that is caused by Rota virus infection annually, Nagaland will launch the Rota Virus Vaccine (RVV) in July.
This was disclosed by DPO (RCH-UIP), Dr. Rupert Peseyie, at the meeting of Kohima District Task Force held on May 24 in the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima. The house deliberated on Rota Virus Vaccine, Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) and National De-worming programme (NDD).
Dr. Rupert Peseyie informed that 40% of all diarrhoeal cases are due to Rota virus infection. He stated that 8.7 lakh children are hospitalised annually while 32.7 lakh are out patients. Due to the huge burden, he stated that WHO has recommended introduction of the vaccine in all the countries (presently 96 countries).
He added that 11 states in India have introduced with above four crores doses safely and effectively given to children. He mentioned that RVV will protect a child against severe life threatening diarrhoea and reduce the mortality of under 5 years of children significantly.
The programme was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Anoop Khinchi, followed by introduction of participants. The meeting had representatives from the departments of Social Welfare, Education, Administration and Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).
Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) programme was highlighted by DCM, Rokoseno Thapo. She informed that IDCF would commence on May 28 till June 8. The fortnight is being observed to achieve zero child death due to diarrhoea. The objective of the fortnight is to address high incidences of diarrhoea during monsoon season.
The targeted population of children from 0-5 years of age in Kohima district is 24,778.
The programme on national de-worming was briefed by Vimesü Khatso, school health coordinator. The programme aims at reaching out to school going children and drop-outs from 1-19 years who are registered at Anganwadi centre.
Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Anoop Khinchi, in his closing remark, urged the line departments and partners to actively take part in the on-going programmes and work for the successful implementation of Rota virus vaccine.
Block level administration officers would be entrusted to monitor the activities within their respective.
