Japanese encephalitis campaign concludes
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05/05/2008
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WHO
Japanese encephalitis immunization campaign started on April 2 completed successfully with an achievement of 92.3% of the target covering 4,19,965 children between age group of 1 to 15 years of age. A workable strategy was chalked out in the first District Task Force meeting held recently at DC Conference Hall, Tinsukia. The clear responsibilities were assigned to all the officers. WHO, PATH, UNICEF extended full co-operation in planning and implementation of the project. District Social Welfare Department, Panchayat and Rural Development, Education Department etc. Block level task force were also involved in the process. The Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) related issues had been major bottleneck in achievement of target in past years in many districts. In Tinsukia district, AEFI management plan was carefully worked out and block AEFI committee and quick response team were constituted to tackle any AEFI case immediately. Due to proper implementation of this strategy, we hardly received any complain on AEFI of any serious type. To ensure smooth distribution of vaccine to all the 112 daily vaccination sites, many teams in the block level were formed sufficient vaccine transportation teams at the block PHC level were formed. For their effectiveness, each team was provided with route chart, map and vehicles to ensure delivery of vaccines at the vaccination sites. A 24 number of cold chain centres throughout the district were maintained and full proof power back up facility was provided. Even Grade IV staff were trained the basics of cold chain maintenance twice. Meanwhile two round of training had been given to the MOs, Tea Garden Doctors, all ANM, all ASHA, all AWW, teachers, LHVs about JE, AEFI, injection techniques, tally sheet, cold chain maintenance, service delivery etc. Extensive social mobilisation had been taken up involving GP president, AP members, ZP members, PRI, Tea Garden Managers and doctors etc. Street plays were organised in TEs, posters leaflet, invitation cards, awareness campaign were done in all over the district. Number of hoardings, wall writings, banner making etc were massively organised in remote and inaccessible areas. The convergence of all the concerned department gave great impetus to the whole campaign. For efficient monitoring and supervision the whole district was divided into 5 zones and each zone was looked after by Joint Director of Health Services, Additional CM and HO, CM and HO (CD), DIO and DPM. Besides this the State Government had appointed an independent observer for each block area. Regular feedback session was held in the DC chamber to analyse JE vaccination. On the basis of this analysis corrective measure used to be taken up while observers from outside attended the camp like