Kohima, Tuensang and Longleng launch anti-Japanese Encephalitis campaign

EMN Dimapur, April 15 [dropcap]K[/dropcap]ohima, Tuensang, and Longleng districts have launched the anti-Japanese Encephalitis campaign for the year. Under the aegis of National Health Mission, the District Health Society of Kohima officially launched the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination campaign at the Chief Medical Officer’s office premises on April 15 by Rovilatuo Mor, deputy commissioner of Kohima district. Speaking at the launch, Deputy Commissioner Rovilatuo Mor said that the fatality of Japanese Encephalitis has to be widely propagated to the public ‘for more awareness in order to avoid this deadly disease.’ He emphasized that the vaccination campaign should be taken up ‘in all seriousness towards the target populations.’ Also, the deputy commissioner gave an assurance that the district administration would provide ‘all help necessary in publicity through various platforms, stating that the district administration will be playing a part in creating maximum awareness’. Mor also urged the healthcare workers to ‘bear with the inconvenience’ but to go ahead ‘with determination’ for a success campaign. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kechongol Sophie, highlighted three important aspects of Japanese Encephalitis. He said that the fatality of Japanese Encephalitis  was very high, standing at 20-30%, while recovery with neuropsychology stood at 70%. However he said the efficacy of the vaccine was as high as 99%. He also informed the gathering about the effectiveness of the vaccine, SA 14-14-2, as recent field trails in Nepal and China (endemic areas) have found, the efficacy stood at 99% after a single dose of the vaccine. The deputy chief medical officer informed that the vaccination campaign was started on April 15 and will continue till the 29th of April. He acknowledged allied departments, public leaders, and citizens in general for their cooperation to the vaccination drive. Tuensang district The District Health Society of Tuensang has launched the Japanese Encephalitis campaign in the district making the commencement of vaccination programs across the district to immunize all children in the age group of 1-15 years. Targeting at least 66, 359 persons, the event for Tuensang was launched in Government Higher Secondary School of Thangjam. The campaign was formally launched after pastor Peshia, associate pastor of KBCT said a dedication for a successful immunization campaign and prevention against the dreaded disease. Medical personnel and officials attended the event. On the first day the campaign covered Thangjam government higher secondary school, government primary school of Saksi, government primary school station I and II, and Akum Imlong School. Simultaneously, 56 healthcare units in the district started the vaccination campaign. Longleng district The vaccination for Encephalitis vaccination for Longleng district has been launched on April 15 by Nikashe Sema, deputy commissioner of Longleng. The inauguration of the event was conducted in Mount Carmel School in Longleng town. During the event, the spoke about the benefits of availing the vaccine for the disease and encouraged children to take the vaccine made available by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare Government of India. Healthcare personnel will be visiting 131 private and government schools in the district, to cover a target of 16, 696 children.