Government Launches Intensified Immunisation Mission, Aims At 90% Coverage By 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) that aims to reach every child under two years of age and pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the government’s routine immunisation programme against preventable diseases said a report by Livemint.

This special drive will focus on select districts and cities to ensure full immunisation to more than 90% of children and pregnant women by December 2018. The target of at least 90% coverage was to have been achieved by 2020. With the launch of IMI, the date has now been advanced.

While launching IMI in Vadnagar, Gujarat, Modi said, “The government has made immunisation a people’s and a social movement.”

Areas of focus

The IMI now has sharpened the focus on high priority districts and urban areas. Four consecutive immunisation rounds will be conducted for seven days in 173 districts – 121 districts and 17 cities in 16 states and 52 districts in 8 northeastern states – every month between October 2017 and January 2018. IMI will cover low performing areas in selected districts and urban areas.

These areas have been selected through the culmination of data available under national surveys, Health Management Information System Data and World health Organisation monitoring data. Special attention will be given to urban slums with migratory population and low coverage areas in sub-centres. Cities and urban settlements identified under National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) will remain in focus.

“The 4 phases of Mission Indradhanush have reached to more than 2.53 crore children and 68 lakh pregnant women with life-saving vaccines including lakh children and 1.27 lakh pregnant women in Gujarat. Through this mission, we have accelerated our progress towards our target of 90% full immunisation coverage. Earlier the increase in full immunisation coverage was 1% per year which has increased to 6.7% per year through the first two phases of ‘Mission Indhradhanush’,” said Union Health minister J.P Nadda.

How will the intensification function

IMI will have inter-ministerial, inter-departmental coordination, action-based review mechanism and intensified monitoring and accountability framework. This will help in effective implementation, while targeted rapid intervention will help in routine immunisation coverage. It is supported by 11 ministries and departments such as Panchayati raj, the ministry of women and child development, the ministry of urban development, the ministry of youth affairs among others.

It will further aim at the convergence of ground-level workers of several departments like ASHA, Auxiliary nurse midwifes (ANMs), Aanganwadi workers, Zilla preraks under National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), self-help groups will be ensured for better coordination and effective implementation of the program.

Close monitoring

IMI will be monitored at the district, state and the central level at regular intervals. Further, it would be reviewed by the cabinet secretary at the national level and it will continue to be monitored at the highest level under a special initiative. It will also be reviewed by the cabinet secretary at the national level and will continue to be monitored at the highest level special initiative, “Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation”. It is based on received information from gap assessment, supervision through government, concurrent monitoring by partners and end-line surveys.

Under IMI special strategies are devised for rigorous monitoring of the program. State and districts have developed coverage improvement plans based on gap self-assessment. They are reviewed from state to central level with an aim to reach 90% by December 2018.

An appreciation mechanism has also been devised for the states and districts reaching more than 90% coverage. The criteria includes best practices and media management during crisis.To acknowledge contribution of partners/civil society organisations, certifications will be given.

The Logical Indian take

The Logical Indian community wholeheartedly applauds the government’s aim to achieve 90% coverage in immunisation by 2018. Such measures will surely bring about a positive change in the state of affairs of the healthcare scenario in India.