Training programme for cold chain handlers in Darrang

From our Correspondent

MANGALDAI, October 13: The old practice of using pen and paper to keep records of the stock position of the vaccines even at the remotest cold chain centre under the State Health Department will soon be replaced by new information technology based application which aims at providing real time information on vaccine stocks and flows and also storage temperatures across all cold chain points in Assam. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is reportedly rolling out this new innovative application called electronic vaccine intelligence network or e-VIN across all districts of the State to support the Government of India’s Universal Immunization Programme. The new smartphone and internet based application implemented by the United tions Development Programme (UNDP) is expected to resolve the widespread inequities in vaccine coverage by supporting the State Government in overcoming constraints of infrastructure, monitoring and maging information systems and human resources, often resulting in over stocking and stocking out of vaccines in storage centres. As a part of this initiative, a two-day long training programme for the cold chain handlers of the district health department has been organized here from Thursday.

On this occasion, in a ceremonial distribution of mobile smart phones, Additiol Deputy Commissioner (Health) Bidyut Bikash Bhagawati distributed the handsets to all 34 participating ANMs and GNMs in presence of senior officials of the district health department.  Additiol Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Utpal Kr Das, District Immunization Officer Dr A.K.Dhing, Sub-divisiol Medical and Health Officer (Public Health) Dr Nirmal Ch Beria and State Project Officer of UNDP, Assam, Dr Chiranjeeb Bhattacharja attended the training programme. Earlier officiating Joint Director of Health Services, Darrang, Dr Ramesh Ch Goswami iugurated the programme.