Three-day workshop on Immunization begins
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 14 2016: A three-day State level communication strategy development workshop on Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) for routine immunization was opened today at Classic Hotel here.

Dr Pravinkumar of UNICEF Guwahati, Immunization Nodal Officer and Joint Director Dr Th Nandakishore, AMWJU President Wangkhemcha Shamjai, and ISTV Editor-In-Chief Brozendro Ningomba graced the inaugural function as presidium members.

Speaking at the opening session of the workshop, Dr Nandakishore said that the new vision of immunization is to cover 100 pre cent of all the infants by 2030 .

Nonetheless, Mission Indradhanush has been 100 per cent successful in the State.

Wangkhemcha Shamjai said that healthcare facilities of the State improved tremendously in the past few years.

However, it is not a good sign that most of the Central sponsored schemes fail in the State.

Far flung areas of the State are still struggling to access healthcare facilities.

State Govt should take up certain measures to reach out to the far flung areas with regard to healthcare facilities .

Dr Pravinkumar said that, in India, one third of the children born in a year do not get complete protection from the vaccine-preventable diseases.

Routine immunization would improve the immunization coverage in the country.

Lack of awareness, illiteracy, cultural, social, demographic, political and environmental factors are inter-related to immunization coverage across the country.

To facilitate full immunization of every child, grassroots level health workers/facilities like ASHAs, Anganwadi Centres, Primary Health Sub-Centres etc have to reach out to far flung and rural areas.

He said that decentralization of district-wise immunization is required in the State to cover more children in far flung and rural areas.

Manipur is high in immunization drop-out rate according to a report of 2012-13.The immunization coverage rate can be increased by identifying the challenges and by improving healthcare facilities.

Imphal West District has the highest number of immunization coverage compared to the remaining districts.

Overall, the immunization programme covered by Anganwadi Centres in rural areas is 1.8 per cent children, 0.8 per cent in urban areas while Primary Health Sub-Centres covered 13.8 per cent in rural areas and 5.8 per cent in urban areas.

Given these dismal figures of coverage, both Anganwadi Centres and PHSCs need to improve their activities regarding immunization of children.

The immunization programme can be far more successful if it is backed by a suitable policy, Pravinkumar said.

Educated mothers are aware of immunization and its importance.

Minority community, tribals, and illiterate mothers have highest number of immunization drop-outs.

Every child from can be sparred from preventable morbidity and mortality through proper channels of communication and mass awareness about vaccine-preventable diseases.

He said that majority of the families do not have appropriate knowledge about immunization and this is one primary reason for low immunization coverage.

Comment