State gears up for massive Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign

Chief Minister Rio to launch campaign on Oct. 3, lakhs of children to be vaccinated state-wide

Dimapur, Sep. 7 (EMN): Nagaland is on full preparation mode for the mega Measles Rubella Vaccination Campaign (MRVC) which will cover lakhs of children all over the state. The preparatory works has been underway in all the districts for the past months and the mega campaign will be officially launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on October 3, 2018.

The Health and Family Welfare Department in collaboration with other departments and NGOs has been carrying out a massive awareness campaign for the past few months and the citizens of the state have been sensitized about the disease and also about the importance of the campaign.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases ever known and is an important cause of death and disability among young children worldwide. Rubella can cause severe birth defects. In 2000, before the Measles and Rubella Initiative was formed, more than 562,000 children died worldwide from measles complications each year. Rubella, also known as “German Measles”, is generally a mild disease but can have serious consequences for pregnant women and their children.

The state Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) with its officials spread in every nook and corner of the state has been diligently reporting about the programmes conducted in the different districts and sub-divisions.

The latest update about the MRVC from the DIPR stated that the state Health and Family Welfare (HFW) Department, the nodal agency to implement the campaign, has formed a State Task Force under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary HFW, Himato Zhimomi held a meeting on Sep. 6 at the Secretariat and deliberated on various issues regarding the campaign.

It stated that the Sr. Medical Officer (SMO), WHO-Nagaland gave a presentation on the progress of activities at State and District levels by sharing the official tracker sheet, and said that only few districts like Dimapur, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Peren and Zunheboto are yet to conduct the 2nd DTF while review of micro-plan is also due for some districts which is expected to be completed soon.

Issue pertaining to fixing of realistic targets was discussed as the projected GOI estimate (35% of total state population) is projected at 7,14,269 as compared to headcount targets submitted by districts totalling which comes to only 4,72,947. Moreover, report based on estimation based on previous IPPI round (IPPI coverage x 3) is projected at 6,59,727 children.

A decision was taken to re-look at MRVC targets at the district levels before finalization of the final target, the DIPR stated. Therefore, the principal secretary, HFW suggested that Jt. directors in-charge of district should visit their respective districts at the earliest and review MRVC targets as well as assess the preparedness for the campaign.

Prepared assessment with focus on checklists pertaining to trainings, meetings, micro-plan review, vaccine and cold chain management planning, etc with funding and involvement of partner departments like education were highlighted. It was also reminded on the need to document and maintain all activities for review by assessment team that will be visiting the state from Sept. 10-15th.

SPO UIP Nagaland also presented on the status of activities and preparation for MRVC by the department. He said that the department tentatively plans to organise State launch of MRVC at Northfield School, Kohima and also highlighted on the state activities for procurement. He informed the meeting that Lions Club was on support of IEC activities as the official partner agreed to fund a short video production with Dreamz Unlimited, flex hoardings and banners, leaflets, posters, printed T-shirts for School MR Warriors and stickers.

A state level orientation workshop for media and religious leaders is scheduled on Sep. 25. For the brand ambassador, the dept. has engaged Sievituo Solo, a renowned cyclist travelling the world on his bamboo cycle to take the message of MRVC to all parts of Nagaland while the possibility of engaging popular motorcycle groups/clubs is also under consideration, the DIPR report stated.

Discussions were also held on the need to sensitize private practitioners to deal with negative messages circulating on social media. Verification and accessibility of session sites, especially for urban areas and inclusion of pre-schools, crèche’s and kindergartens to be kept on high priority were also discussed.

Radio jingles to be broadcast all over Nagaland with the help of AIR; confirmation of co-operation from the Muslim community especially in Kohima and Dimapur to share IEC materials in their local script as they have a sizeable population were also studied, the DIPR stated.

Measles and Rubella Awareness Campaign at Bhandari

Dimapur, Sep. 7 (EMN): The 2nd MRVC was held on Sep. 7 at Bhandari which was attended by Medical department, heads of Governmental departments of the Sub Division, Students Union leaders, Church leaders, GBS and Dobashis, Teachers and NGOs as Block Task Force, Campaign Committee Members
ADC Bhandari, Tiameren Chang, also chairman of block task force committee, urged all task force members to actively participate in creating awareness and to disseminate information for the upcoming MRVC to be launched on Oct. 3 in the sub-division along with the rest of the state.
Dr. Lipokrenla Ao, CHC Bhandari asked the members to follow the laid out communication plan in order to mobilise the community for cent percent participation and to systematically coordinate with the health workers to make the Vaccination Campaign successful, a DIPR report stated.

Mokokchung holds review meet

Dimapur, Sep. 7 (EMN): District micro planning review meeting for MRVC on the theme “Measles and rubella move fast, we can and must move faster” was held in the IDSP conference hall of IMDH, Mokokchung, on September 6.
A press release from DPMU Mokokchung stated that CMO Dr. Medemmayang, challenged all the participants to co-operate for the success of the programme.
Also speaking on the occasion, deputy CMO urged upon all the concerned officers and workers to be sincere and extend full co-operation for the success of measles-rubella campaign. Dr. Temsuyanger, DPO (RCH&UIP), stressing on MRVC and its micro planning, advised the health workers to co-ordinate and render service to the best of their ability to make the programme a success.
The topics discussed during the meetings included school micro planning, outreach micro plan, communication plan, supervisors plan etc, the release stated.