Dimapur, July 4 (EMN): The district task force for Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign meeting was held with the stakeholders in the deputy commissioner’s conference hall in Kohima on July 4.
According to an update from SIPR, Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Soundararajan who is also the chairman of the district task force for Immunization, Kohima called upon all the line departments, schools / institutions, stakeholders and other organisations to extend their full cooperation and support in their respective areas, for the successful implementation of the campaign in the district and state as a whole. He also requested the line departments to extend cooperation and support during the head counting survey of the children to achieve realistic target in the campaign.
The chairman also noted that duplication of data in regard to double enrolment of children particularly in schools, angawadi centres etc. has to be checked while conducting the survey.
District programme officer RCH / VIP, Dr. Rupert Peseyie highlighted about the campaign to be carried out on October 3. He said that the campaign has been introduced in India along with the rest of the country to eliminate Measles and control Rubella in the country.
Stating that children holds one third of the population in Nagaland as per the 2015 census, Dr. Peseyie said that 7 lakh children has to be vaccinated during the campaign across the state where 90,000 children have to be vaccinated in Kohima district. He informed that children from the age group of 9 months to 15 years are required to receive the vaccine, an additional dose, which is safe and effective vaccine besides the other vaccination routine.
Measles is a contagious viral infection which is serious for small children and Rubella is a mild contagious viral infection where both the diseases can be easily prevented by vaccine, he said.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ritu Thurr said the Government of India is dedicated to eliminate Measles-Rubella by 2020, he therefore sought support from the citizens.
Dr. Seema Singh Koshal, RRT-Who informed that 20 states have completed the campaign successfully across the country and hoped that the campaign would be successfully implemented in Nagaland. She said that the duration of the campaign in the state will be for five weeks where first two week will be in the schools and institutions while third and fourth week will be in the community facility centres and fifth will be for the missed out children.
She pointed out that there are four main pillars for the successful implementation of the campaign, which includes micro planning, awareness, training and supportive supervision where every individual has an important role.
Dr. Seema said that schools play an important role in this campaign where 80% of the children will be vaccinated in school and 20% from the community, she therefore stressed on the importance to create awareness about the vaccination to the people for successful implementation of the campaign.
Also, the project officer- UNDP, Rajesh Khastu Monsang highlighted the role of United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and the status of vaccine store in Kohima district for the campaign.
Also, the Tuensang district task force on immunization meeting for Measles-Rubella campaign was held on July 4.
During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Tuensang L Jamithung Lotha said that measles is not new to the people and it is an infectious disease that kills many infants and young children. He asked all concerned to create awareness among the general public.
Dr. Tungchanpeni, DPO (RCH-UIP) highlighted about the aim of the campaign. She urged the departments, churches, education institutions and parents to extend support for successful implementation of the campaign.
Deputy CMO Dr. Temsu Longchar and VPD surveillance from Who - India, Dr. Arun Kumar also spoke in the meeting.
