Principal Director of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Ritu Thur addressing the State Task Force meeting. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, November 13 (MExN): In the programme held at the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare IDSP Hall, Principal Director of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Ritu Thur, emphasised the department’s commitment to grassroots-level immunization efforts. He highlighted the goal of achieving measles and rubella elimination in India by December 2023.
A DIPR report stated that acknowledging the H&FW Department as the backbone, Dr Thur appealed to sister departments to mobilize through various platforms. Additionally, he mentioned the monthly village outreach health and nutrition days organized by the Health & Family Welfare department in areas lacking health units.
Dr Thur acknowledged previous challenges in immunization performance but noted recent improvement, crediting collaboration with partner departments. He urged other stakeholders, community leaders, and sister departments to actively participate in medical department activities, particularly in enhancing immunization efforts. Stressing that the government provides vaccines, he called upon departments like social welfare and education to collaborate in achieving the shared goal.
During the State Task Force meeting, Additional Secretary of Health & Family Welfare for Nagaland, S Tainu, expressed gratitude for the initiative and support received from partner departments in the immunization programme. Tainu urged partner departments to increase awareness and collaborate in practical service delivery, emphasizing the need for a joint venture to reach people in different districts and villages.
The meeting also discussed some of the objectives of the Universal Immunization Program (UIP), with participation from Dr E Motsuthung Patton (MD, NHM) and Dr Imkongtemsu Longchar (SIO, UIP).
