Malappuram: As the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign is scheduled to come to an end soon, the National Health Mission is not confident of meeting the deadline without support from other departments. Therefore, they have started a 10-day intensive campaign involving politicians, NSS volunteers and Kudumbasree workers. The intensive drive was launched on Wednesday and has already started visiting houses, officials said. “Kudumbasree workers will have a better idea about households in the area and their contact circle would be of great help in networking with mothers. In a similar way, help from political parties has also been sought. The CPM, DYFI and IUML have agreed to be part of it and started their campaign,” said National Health Mission district programme manager Dr A. Shibu Lal.
The official feared that the situation could worsen if the government only depended on his short-staffed department to carry out the programme. They are also taking help from District Legal Service Authority that will initiate action against those hindering the immunisation procedures. National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers are campaigning inside and outside campuses. They have also approached celebrities like Mammootty, who promised to help them promote the drive on social media. District Medical Officer Dr K. Sakkeena said that with the introduction of teachers, the campaign is getting huge results.
“Everyday shows an increase of two per centage. Till date, 57.26% was completed, which amounts to 7,11,000 children, which is a huge rate. If the campaign moves at this pace, we expect to reach 85 to 90 per cent by November 30,” she said. The DMO added that the negative campaign by the acupuncturists and naturopaths is a real headache. “Those who have completed just two months’ course are also claiming to be experts,” she said.
