Project to control NCDs in DK - launch on Oct 5

Project to control NCDs in DK - launch on Oct 5

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 5, 2015 : Briefing media on Oct 4, District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna said, the State government will launch a project to control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) like diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease and cancer in DK on October 5.  He said, a workshop on NCD’s and schemes like Vajpayee Arogyasree and Rajiv Arogya Bhagya will be held for the members of the gram panchayat, taluk panchayat and zilla panchayat, awareness will be mainly  created.

Under this World Bank-funded project, persons  suffering from the NCD’s can approach nearest primary health centre (PHC) or the government hospital for free treatment. The pilot project will be in force till March 2016, after which, a decision will be taken whether to extend the scheme to other districts.  He said, ’Mission Indradhanush’, which aims to immunise all children against seven vaccine preventable diseases namely diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis and measles by 2020, will be held on Oct 7.

The immunisation programme will be held on October 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 and 17 and also on November 7, December 7 and January 7 to cover those who are left out.  It is decided to avail the services of junior health assistants from rural areas to carry out the survey in urban areas, following the reluctance from Anganwadi workers to take part in the survey. 

DK Deputy Commissioner Adoor B Ibrahim said that active participation of anganwadi workers was crucial for the success of second phase of Mission Indradhanush, a Central government scheme for full immunisation coverage, which will be carried out in 17districts including Dakshina Kannada from October 7 to 17.

Apart from this immunisation, the  programme will also be held on November 7, December 7 and January 7 to cover those who are left out.

Addressing a preparatory meeting at DC office here recently, he said to achieve 90 per cent immunisation coverage, everybody’s co-operation was needed. According to data, only 1,035 out of 2,116 (only 48.91 per cent) anganwadi workers are participating in the Mission Indradhanush survey along with 417 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and 958 ASHA workers in the district. The District Health Officer should co-ordinate and act as a a nodal officer. It should be carried out as a mission.

Senior Pediatrician Dr Baliga also opined that the participation of anganwadi workers was crucial for the success of the vaccination programme, and added that it was their duty and not an extra burden.

He opined that the participation of the ANMs would help in eradication of Malaria. Meanwhile, the officials requested co-operation from all nursing colleges and hospitals of the district.

National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) Surveillance Medical Officer Dr Sathishchandra said that during the Mission Indradhanush Phase II, strategy would be more powerful and ownership would be divided at all levels, concentrating on urban areas. The concerned departments will provide vehicle facility, power supply etc. The education department should conduct awareness rallies. Information should be given to children.

The programme provides vaccination to children, up to two years old, against seven life-threatening diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B and also against Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao, IMA president Dr G K Bhat, RCH District Officer (In-charge) Dr Sadashiva and others were present.