Govt begins screening of kids who dropped out of routine immunization

BHUBANESWAR: This year, the health and family welfare department has initiated the screening of children who were either left out or dropped out of routine immunization. These individuals will be identified and included in immunization coverage during the two-month campaign, which will continue until August 31.
The campaign will also target pregnant women who have not been tested for hepatitis B.Throughout the campaign, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will visit all households in both rural and urban areas to ensure the immunization of children who were left out.
By focusing on children who have missed out on routine immunization and pregnant women who have not been tested for hepatitis B, the campaign aims to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility. “The involvement of ASHAs in visiting households and conducting community-level activities is crucial in achieving the campaign's objectives,” said a health department officer.
Health Secretary Shalini Pandit mentioned that all ASHAs are provided with a brochure for reference to conduct the community-level activities. The state-level campaign was launched on July 1. “We hope the campaign will be successfully implemented, attaining all its objectives, and expect all the ASHAs to undertake activities in a proactive manner,” she added.
In addition, the state will observe intensified diarrhoea control activities in an integrated manner with other priority activities of the state, including malaria, dengue, TB, and leprosy control activities. It has been organizing these activities since 2014. Immunization of left-out children has been added this year.
Last year, around 96 lakh households were covered under intensified diarrhoea control activities. About 29,000 children under five years of age were identified with diarrhoea and were treated with ORS and zinc. Similarly, around 5,000 fever cases were tested for malaria and dengue. Handwashing was demonstrated across the state in communities and schools, according to official sources.
Recently, the department launched a vaccination drive for children in diphtheria-affected areas, including Rayagada, Koraput, and Kalahandi districts. Death of children due to diphtheria prompted the department to review the immunization status and vaccinate left-out children. The vaccination will protect the kids from diseases and health complications in future, said an official.