NONGSTOIN: Health Minister A.L. Hek launched the ambitious Mission Indradhanush in West Khasi Hills District on Thursday.
Mission Indradhanush, depicting the seven colours of the rainbow, aims to immunize all children against seven vaccine preventable diseases namely diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B by 2020.
Launching the Mission Indradhanush at the DRDA guest house in New Nongstoin, Hek sought the cooperation of various stakeholders, including NGOs, health workers, local headmen and the media for creating awareness regarding the importance of fully immunizing every child against all vaccine preventable diseases in the district.
While expressing happiness at the initiative of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare which launched the programme, Hek appealed to the parents and guardians to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated.
The Health Minister reiterated the importance of immunization for all children. He also said that till date immunization coverage in West Khasi Hills has been low and the district should target to rise steadily in the next four months through the mission which will commence on April 7.
Hek also urged the ASHAs and ANMs to dedicate themselves to the cause of creating awareness about the mission.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, M R Synrem said that the Centre has chosen West Khasi Hills & South West Khasi Hills for the project on priority basis considering that the two districts have poor road connectivity apart from faring poorly on the health parameter.
He informed that the Health department will provide two National Vaccine Vans each in West and South West Khasi Hills to cover the remote areas of the districts.
Later, the Health Minister also launched the vaccine vans meant for West Khasi Hills.
The Office of the DM&HO also organized the youth festival on the occasion.
Also present at the function were Dr. P.Chyne, State Immunization Officer and Dr. T.S.Nongkhlaw DM&HO among others.
