Mission Inderdhanush (Complete Immunisation Programme) launched in Punjab

Four districts Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Pathankot And Sri Muktasar Sahib to be covered under mission Inderdhanush; 90 percent infants to be covered by 2020

Ludhiana, April 7, 2015: Aiming at reducing the infant mortality rate and giving quality health care to the expectant mothers in the state, the Punjab government on the directions of the government of India today launched "Mission Inderdhanush" to achieve a target of getting 90 percent infants covered in Punjab under complete immunization programme by 2020. This project was launched by Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Jatinder Kaur here today.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr Jatinder Kaur said that Mission Inderdhanush was launched today to mark the World Health Day. She said that more emphasis would be laid on covering the left out population would be covered under vaccination plan. She informed that the government of India had identified as many as 201 such districts from across the country with lower infant vaccination rate. Out of these districts only four districts in Punjab namely Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Sri Muktasar Sahib have been identified.

She further informed that during the Mission Inderdhanush, all the left out children below 2 years and expectant mothers would be covered with the vaccination programme. As many as 45000 infants were expected to be covered in all the four identified districts. Giving district wise details, he said that approximately 24,500 in Ludhiana, 8,100 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 3,100 in Pathankot and 9,300 in district Gurdaspur would be covered. This seven day long Mission Inderdhanush would start on the 7th of every month starting from April, May, June and July and ensure complete vaccination plan covering the population of infants’ and expectant mothers.

Director Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, informed that a total of 145 immunisation sessions would be held throughout the city under this mission. She said that in rural areas of the district, immunisation would be carried with the help of immunisation sessions and mobile teams.

Dr Jatinder Kaur further informed that the Health department was all geared and strategies have been worked out to take up this gigantic task in a more organized way. Necessary training to the workers’ deputed under Mission Inderdhanush has also been imparted. The entire Mission would be closely monitored by the senior officers of the World Health Organization and Government of India jointly, she said.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Dr Renu Chhatwal, Dr G V Singh, State Immunisation Officer, Dr Balwinder Singh, District Immunisation Officer, Dr Jasvir Singh, Deputy Medical Commissioner, Dr R K Karkara, SMO, Dr Manjit Singh, Dr Avinash Kumar, Jasvir Singh, BEE, besides several others.