Intensified Mission Indradhanush - An Immunization Initiative

Intensified Mission Indradhanush - An Immunization Initiative

Introduction-

Large Infant Mortality rate, attack of various diseases to the pregnant mother and new-born are common problems of India. To overcome this problem, the Government of India has launched a new scheme to provide vaccination to all the children aged below 2 years and pregnant mothers of rural undeveloped areas. The new scheme is named as Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI). Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has launched the scheme at Vadnagar in Gujrat. The percentage of infants and pregnant mothers, who left uncovered by the routine immunization system of the Government, must be brought under the umbrella of Intensified Mission Indradhanush.

Objective of the IMI –

• To reach all children below within two years age group and pregnant mothers who are still uncovered under the previous Mission Indradhanush.
• To ensure full immunization across the selected districts and cities of India.
• To enhance the advancement of the process of complete immunization.
• To accelerate complete immunization coverage to approximately 90% within December 2018.

Few Facts about Mission Indradhanush –

• It was launched in December of 2014.
• The main purpose of this scheme was to immunize approximately 90% children with 2 years and pregnant women against some diseases which can be prevented by vaccination.
• The diseases are whooping cough, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, tetanus, measles and the Hepatitis B.
• Vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis, Haemophilus influenzae type B and Rota virus were also provided in some selected groups.

Features of the IMI –

• Under the IMI, a seven-day long immunization drive would be conducted in each month till January of 2018 in 17 cities and 173 districts.
• The IMI would be executed on the basis of information got from supervision through the government, the gap assessment, monitoring concurrently by the partners and the end-line surveys. Some special strategies would also be there.
• The states and districts must ensure the successful implementation of this mission by preparing suitable plan on the basis of the gap- assessment.
• There would be some workers of different departments to help in effective implementation and coordination of this initiative at ground level.  These workers are ANMs, ASHAs, Zila preraks under the “National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM”), Anganwadi workers, self-help groups etc..
• It would focus on the urban and other corners of the country with less immunization coverage.
• The drive would start on 7th of each month and must be spread within 7 working days.
• There would be an appraisal and awarding mechanism to recognize the districts which would reach to approximately 90% coverage.
• The districts have to meet certain criteria to get awards which include the best practices and media management during crisis.
• The “Certificate of Appreciation” would be given to recognize the contribution of the partners, “Civil Society Organization (CSOs)”and other workers.
• Implementation of the ‎IMI (Intensified Mission Indradhanush) must be monitored closely in each level of districts, states and center at regular time intervals. ‎
• The monitoring process must be reviewed by the Cabinet Secretary at National level. It would be monitored at the highest level under the supervision of a special initiative named “Proactive Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI)”.

Conclusion-

According to the Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Government is determined to improve the health status of the children of India and that is one of the top priorities of them.  The Government must ensure that no child would suffer from the diseases that can be prevented by vaccine.