Dimapur, July 5 (EMN): A workshop supporting the measles-rubella vaccination campaign was held at the Conference Hall of Para Medical Training Institute, Kohima which was attended by all the medical officers, nurses and Health workers of five blocks under Kohima district.
A DIPR news bulletin, while informing about the workshop, stated that EAC Kohima Changsang Soted inaugurated the training session. He encouraged the medical fraternity to enlighten the people about the diseases on how to be treated and to avail the medical procedures and facilities available at various health centres’.
While pointing out that the vaccination campaign has been carried out in order to achieve the target of the Government to completely eradicate the measles -rubella disease, the EAC urged the trainees to ‘generalize awareness especially in the rural populace so that the common people who do not have the general idea are not seriously affected’.
He therefore encouraged the health workers to create more awareness in the village level on healthcare intervention that has been provided free by the Government. The EAC further congratulated the medical department for all the activities and intervention rendered to the general public and also hosting such an important programme on measles vaccination.
Briefing on the objective of workshop, Chief Medical Officer Kohima, Dr. Ritu Thurr said that the main objective of the workshop was to acquire complete knowledge about measles-rubella, disease profile, disease definition, geographical distribution of measles, its preventive measures, and technical knowledge on how to inject measles-rubella vaccine. He urged all the Medical Officers and health workers to acquire knowledge about measles and rubella and to develop a positive attitude. He encouraged the participants to rededicate themselves to achieve the goal of Government of India with a vision to eradicate Measles-rubella by 2020.
Emphasizing on the Basic Strategic Operational Plans for measles-rubella vaccination campaign WHO RRT, Dr.Seema Singh said that the measles-rubella vaccine would be introduced through a campaign in a phased manner across the country without sub-phasing within the states and for vaccination sessions in educational institutes, schools, institution authorities, school teachers and parents will play a key role in ensuring that targeted students are well informed and immunized during the campaign. Adding that in campaigns, all children in the target age group are vaccinated irrespective of previous immunization status or history of measles or rubella disease, the DIPR news bulletin further stated.
Mokokchung
A report from Mokokchung also informed of a similar workshop held Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was conducted at IDSP conference hall in Mokokchung. The report informed that the CMO Mokokchung, Dr P Medemmayang highlighted about the objectives of workshop. He said that it is a part of global efforts to reduce illness and deaths due to MR in the country.
According to the release, the key objective of the campaign is to have 100% coverage with MR vaccination for children between nine months to 15 years of age. Resource person, Dr Shankar Reddy, an RRT from World Health Organization gave slide show presentation on basic strategic operational plans and other guidelines for MR vaccination campaign.
‘During the campaign, regular routine immunization session will be conducted without interruption. Once MR campaign is over, measles vaccine will be replaced by MR vaccine. The MR vaccination will start from October3,’ the release stated.
The project officer of UNDP, Engum, discussed about the elimination strategies, planning, reporting, and communication for MR vaccination campaign and stated that elimination of MR control will be done by 2020, the release added.
Meanwhile, a report issued by the District Media Officer under CMO, Zunheboto informed that the District Task Force, Zunheboto also held a meeting on July 4 2018 at DCs Chamber, Zunheboto which was chaired by Deputy Commissioner, Shanavas, IAS.
Shanavas, IAS, DC, Zunheboto chaired the meeting and welcome all the participants. In his welcome note he encouraged and motivate the participants to take special initiative as measles-rubella Campaign is one of the massive public health undertakings. The District Media Officer, Shekho Sophie, in a press report, informed that Dr Shankar Reddy, RRT (WHO) gave a brief overview of the MR Campaign and highlighted about the importance to coordinate among allied departments and civil societies.
Dr Reddy also emphasized the role of DTF members that is to support, supervise, monitor and ensure implementation of quality MR campaigns in the district.
He further informed that the targeted group of the ‘measles-rubella campaign’ will be children in the group of nine months to 15 years irrespective of their prior vaccination status.
Dr Alemwabang Aier, DPO (RCH &UIP), Zunheboto highlighted about the problems and constraints.
The first DTF-Measles Rubella meeting was attended by DC, SP, ICDS, GBs, Women Leaders, RRT-WHO, CMO, DPO (RCH &UIP), MOs and IEC bureau Zunheboto, the press release from the Distrcit media Officer further informed.
