Immunisation is right of every child' Micheal Juma, Chief, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh. He was speaking at meet of civil society and youth group who are partners of UNICEF Communications programme at Shivpuri.
He said that within the framework of convention on the rights of children, every child has right to survival. He added that it is important that we advocate for it and especially as communications partners, we help spread awareness of upcoming measles - rubella campaign which State is rolling out.
This Partners meet was organized by UNICEF Madhya Pradesh at Shivpuri where you had representatives of Child Rights Observatory, Vikas Samvad, Spandan, Ekta Parishad, Synergy, Vasudha Sanasthan, ANSH Happiness Society, Sandhiya, Anhad Pravaah, Zenith legal service and NGOs from Shivpuri and Officials of Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Speaking at the meet Dr Santosh Shukla, State Immunization Officer explained importance of Measles Rubella vaccine and campaign, its strategy and aim of the campaign to eliminate measles and rubella till the year 2020. He said that Measles and Rubella are one of the life- killer diseases among 10 diseases for the children in India. He added that MR campaign will start on 15th January 2019 and will cover all children from age group of 9 months till 15 years.
Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh shared the role of Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships programme and areas where we as a communication group can influence spread of messages of measles rubellla campaign. He suggested ways of engaging with media, youth, faith based, social and digital influencers and engaging corporate sector, work on out of the box ways so that we can reach each and every child and support the State to respond to remove misconceptions and rumours if any. He said we need to harness energy of youth and adolescents to help take the message to communities.
Dr Sanjay, District Immunization Officer of Shivpuri, spoke about the steps being taken as part of preparation of campaign roll out. Dr AL Sharma, CMHO Shivpuri called upon support of all civil society organisations to support the campaign. Dr Mainak Chatterjee Health Officer, UNICEF, MP spoke about the Measles Rubella Vaccine and its benefit for the 9 months to 15 year children . He stated that Measles is the single largest killer and is contagious disease which is spread by virus and vaccine help save lives.