TURA: As part of the pre-MR campaign, the orientation of principals and nodal teachers on Measles Rubella Vaccination Campaign (MRVC) under Tura urban was held at DRDA Conference Hall, Tura on 30th August, 2018.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sabrella B Marak, District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO), Tura Dr. M Sangma, District MCH Officer, Dr I A Sangma, Senior Medical Officer, Dr I M Sangma, principals and teachers attended the orientation programme.
During the orientation program, Dr. I A Sangma briefed the aims and objectives of the vaccination campaign to the principals and teachers present and informed that since the target group are from the age group of nine months to less than 15 years of age, the teachers are the best persons to motivate children as well as their parents.
Highlighting the role of teachers in the MR campaign, she said that the teachers who are attending the said orientation program should train other teachers in their respective schools and also organise parent-teacher meeting in order to sensitise the parents about the MRV campaign and make them understand the significance of the vaccination campaign. She then informed that in order to implement the program successfully in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India was working in convergence with other ministries, Professional Bodies and other organisations.
Meanwhile, in her presentation Dr. I M Sangma emphasized on the need to organise school-based MR campaign since they are the primary stakeholders in this campaign. She informed that Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has resolved to eliminate Measles and control Rubella by 2020 and therefore, every child need to be vaccinated to knock out the disease.
Stating that Measles is a life-threatening disease which spreads through virus which causes disability and untimely death of children, while Rubella is an infectious disease caused by virus which has measles like symptoms, infects both boys and girls and if a pregnant woman gets infected, it can result in Congenital Rubella Syndrome which is harmful for the foetus and newborn child.
She also explained in detail about the necessary guidelines for pre and post school campaign including safety and efficacy of the vaccine, usage of Auto-Disable syringe for vaccination and urged the teachers to create proactive and conducive atmosphere in the school towards vaccination. She also urged them to make an effort to clear their myth and misconceptions with regard to vaccination.