Media sensitization workshop on JE and Indradhanush held

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, March 26: A media sensitization workshop on weekly iron and folic acid supplementation, Japanese Enchepalitis (JE) and Indradhanush organized by the tiol Health Mission and District Health Service, Kokrajhar was held at the conference hall of BTC Secretariat on THursday.

The sensitization programme was chaired by the Joint Director of Health Services, Kokrajhar Dr. JC Boro. The District Immunization Officer (Desigted) Dr. Amal Mashahary briefed about the Indradhanush programme to be launched from first week of April in the district and operatiol framework of weekly iron and folic acid supplementation. He said that Mission Indradhanush was aimed at strengthening key functiol areas of immunization programme for ensuring high coverage throughout the country with special attention to 201 identified high focus districts. He also said that the broad strategy, based on evidence and best practices, had basic elements of meticulous planning of campaign, effective communication and social mobilization efforts, intensive training of the health officials and frontline workers and establishment of accountability framework through task forces.

Mashahary said the district health services had the objective of improving iron stores in the adolescent population from 10 to 19 years of age and to address nutritiol anemia. He said adolescent girls and boys in government, government aided or municipal schools in Class VI to Class XII would be given immunization dose. He also said that the district had detected 92 cases of JE with 13 positive, of which 7 died in 2014 in the district.

The DIO, however, said the district had lack of CMO, CMCD, DIO, ACMO and DLO for which they had been facing severe hardship for proper implementation of tiol programmes. He said the district was being neglected regarding implementation of various programmes and they received the immunization card only on March 25 which had already delayed the process of carrying out of immunization programme in the district. He further said they had lot of problems to organize immunization and other programmes in remote places as they never got fund for carrying the same in far-flung areas.