Dimapur/Kohima, December 6 (MExN): In view of the third round of Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI), the District Task Force of Kohima and Dimapur held meetings in their respective Deputy Commissioner’s office on December 5.
Kohima: The meeting in Kohima had representatives from Social Welfare Department, WHO and UNDP.
Dr. Rupert Peseyie, DPO (RCH-UIP) in his opening remarks mentioned that the third round of IMI will be held from December 7 to 14. Giving a comparative report of immunization coverage in the first & second rounds of IMI, he informed that the first round had 84% coverage while second round had coverage of 89%. He was positive that by the fourth round the district will be able to achieve 90% coverage as envisioned by Government of India. Dr. Rupert further stressed the importance of community participation and activating the stakeholders to ensure all children below 2 years are vaccinated, stated a press release received here.
SMO (WHO), Dr. Sheila Longkumer meanwhile presented a report on the household survey conducted in the last two rounds of IMI. 93 children were surveyed out of which 29% were found unvaccinated and 6% partially vaccinated. She stated that fear of “adverse effect following immunization” and “lack of awareness” are the two main reasons for not having a child vaccinated. In this regard, she maintained that the frontline health workers need closer supervision and key messages regarding immunization need to be imparted to the mothers during outreach activities.
With regard to vaccine stock, Project Officer (UNDP) Rajesh Khartu Monsang stated that there is sufficient vaccine in store for the upcoming IMI and that the temperature excursions are being closely monitored at the District Cold Chain Point through eVIN and MYeVIN app.
Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan in his closing remarks stated that holistic re-orientation training needs to be imparted to the frontline workers so that key messages on immunization are imparted to the beneficiaries. He also mentioned that a field supervision and mid round review of the programme will be held during the third round to ensure tighter supervision.
Dimapur: In Dimapur, Dr. Rebecca Y. Sema, DPO (UIP/RCH) gave a comprehensive presentation on coverage in the first and second rounds of the immunization programme. A total of 2020 children and 266 pregnant women were immunized in the district during the first and second rounds, she informed. Dr. Rebecca also presented the block wise performance status, informed a press release.
Sushil Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur and Chairman of the District Task Force, who chaired the meeting, requested all allied departments and stakeholders to continue their support and cooperation for the successful implementation of the programme.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Antoly, DCMO, Lolano Patton, DPRO, Nezolu Rakho, DPO (SW), R. Amongla Jamir, Deputy DEO, Badal Bhadra, EE (DMC) and staff under Chief Medical Officer’s office, Dimapur.
