Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 4
Around 7 lakh children in the age group of 9 months to 15 years will be vaccinated across Nagaland under Measles- Rubella (MR) campaign by October 3, 2018.
This campaign is in line with the national target of measles elimination and control of rubella by 2020.
Dr. Rupert Peseyie, District Programme Officer, Reproductive Child Health/Universal Immunization Programme, Kohima informed this while speaking at the preparedness meeting for the forthcoming MR campaign here in the presence of district administration and stakeholders.
Dr. Peseyie said that around 90,000 children will be covered under Kohima district.
He informed that head counting survey of children will be carried out soon to help achieve realistic target.
Calling for achieving 100% coverage in Nagaland, he also sought a strong political and administration support for successful implementation of the campaign.
Seeking the support of the stakeholders, Kohima deputy commissioner Rajesh Soundararajan requested the line departments to extend cooperation & support during the head counting survey of the children.
Duplication of data in regard to double enrolment of children particularly in schools, Angawadi Centres etc. has to be checked while conducting the survey, he said.
Soundararajan, who is also the chairman of District Task Force for Immunization Kohima, requested the stakeholders to support micro planning stage and also frame a tangible course of action so that the target does not flop.
“We are ready. We have enough manpower for Kohima district to carry out the campaign,” said Dr. Ritu Thurr, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kohima.
Stating that logistic support and vaccination are entirely free, he called upon the stakeholders to extend their unflinching support for the success of the campaign.
Dr.Seema Singh Koshal, Rapid Response Team, WHO said that Government of India is committed to eliminate measles and control Rubella by 2020. She called for engaging nodal teacher in every school, both government and private, to achieve 100% coverage.
She said that the duration of the campaign in Nagaland will be for five weeks where first two weeks will be in the schools and institutions while third & fourth weeks will be in the community facility centres and fifth week will be for the missed-out children.
She said that WhatsApp group will also be created to disseminate the related information from time to time.
“Involvement of everyone is important,” she said adding that tips on MR campaign will be circulated to the Faith Based Organizations (FBO) for sharing in their respective Sunday sermon platform.
Dr. Koshal informed that National team will be visiting the state soon to supervise the overall preparations.
UNDP project officer Rajesh Khartu Monsang also highlighted the status of vaccine store in Kohima district for the campaign.
