Panchayat representatives can play a key role in increasing immunisation coverage for children in the State. This was discussed at the meeting of panchayat representatives of the seven districts which was held by Samarthan, NGO, supported by UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh.
Yogesh Kumar, Director, Samarthan, while speaking at the meet said that panchayats have a major role in social development issues which impact health and survival of people particularly children and women. And the need is that routine immunization becomes an issue of discussion in panchayat as it saves lives.
Anil Gulati, communication specialist, UNICEF Office for Madhya Pradesh, while speaking at the meet said that representatives present at the meet can be facilitators for including the issue of routine immunization in the Gram Sabhas and support in creating an enabling environment so that no child is left out unimmunized. The Panchayat can support the State system and help to create a 'buzz' on this crucial area which is still missing.
Dr Vandana Bhatia, Health Specialist, said that routine immunization saves lives of children and protects them from seven vaccine preventable diseases.She shared the correlation on mortality of below five years of children and routine immunization and the immunization schedule with the representatives present at the meet.
She shared that as per annual health survey 2011-12, 59.7 per cent of children of Madhya Pradesh are fully immunized and there is need to do more to help expand the reach and cover all children.At the meet, representatives present worked out an action plan how they are going to support the State and make routine immunization part of their meeting and work.