NAHARLAGUN, Jan 23:While speaking at the state level media sensitization workshop on measles rubella vaccination campaign held here today, the Special Secretary, H&FW and Mission Director, NHM Dr. Tapasya  Raghav described the workshop as informative and urged the media persons to be responsible partners of the health department and all line departments in creating awareness on measles rubella among the masses adding that there are some misconceptions about the vaccination in some quarters. She passionately appealed to the media persons to verify the facts from the department before printing or showing in electronic media to avoid unnecessary confusion. The Special Secretary was optimistic that with the active help and support of all the stakeholders 100% coverage of measles vaccination was possible adding that the health workers in the districts were enthusiastic and keen to work hard to eradicate measles rubella from the state.

The resource person of the programme Dr. C. Ravichandran, Health Specialist (NE states) UNICEF, Guwahati while dwelling at length on the importance of health and general wellness for a happy and purposeful life, categorically said that the onus of creating awareness on health activities was not only on the health department but on the people of all walks of life to make India disease-free.

While throwing light on the universal immunization programme the resource person highlighted the magnitude of the programme in India which was the largest in the world. He said that immunization was akin to war preparedness wherein children from 9 months to 15 years are immunized before any disease attacks them in the way the soldiers are kept in readiness before a war breaks out.

 Immunization he said was the safest and the most effective method of preventing childhood diseases. He however lamented that the highest measles mortality was in India amongst all the countries in the world because of ineffective vaccination and lack of awareness. While speaking on Rubella he said that it has no symptom but has dangerous complications adding that myths and misconceptions vis-à-vis Rubella must be done away with and appealed the media to help in this regard.

Dr. D.Padung, Nodal Officer, NHM in his deliberation on measles rubella through a power-point presentation said that small pox, polio and maternal and neo-natal tetanus were eradicated from India through vigorous vaccination campaigns adding that measles was yet to be eradicated completely from the state of Arunachal Pradesh and cited the recent unfortunate case of measles outbreak in Longding district. Dr. Padung said that the state government and GoI were fighting on a war footing to eradicate measles rubella adding that all children from 9 months to 15 years would be vaccinated to protect from measles rubella irrespective of prior vaccination status. He re-iterated that the vaccination coverage has to be 100% and nothing less than that.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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