Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 7: The ambitious launch of Mission Indradhanush aiming at total immunisation by 2020 has kick-started in the state Tuesday.
The programme at Sishu Bhawan here was attended by health and family welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak who suggested that the motto of the mission is to ensure that no child is left unimmunised and directed all health officials to strive for complete immunization of children and pregnant women by 2020.
The mission aims to immunise children against diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis, tuberculosis, polio and whooping cough. The first phase of the drive comprising four phases began in the day and will be accomplished by July-end.
“Under the aegis of the mission, we will focus on high risk areas such as urban slums with migration, nomadic sites, brick kilns and construction sites where immunisation sessions are not being taken up for months. The aim of the mission is to cover dropouts and left-outs,” said Nirmala Dei, director of family welfare department.
Mission Indradhanush has been introduced in 10 high-risk districts (Boudh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Khurda, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Rayagada) in the first phase. The mission has been jointly funded by the state and the Centre.
Currently, Orissa has an immunisation coverage of 68.80 per cent. The mission will primarily focus on children up to two-year-olds and pregnant women. The second phase will begin in September after identifying medium-risk districts. P6
