Kargil, Nov 28, 2022: To give impetus to the progress towards Measles-Rubella elimination in the district, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve today chaired a meeting of District Task Force (DTF) in his Office Chamber, Baroo, Kargil.

The meeting was attended by Program Officer ICDS, Chief Education Officer (CEO), District Panchayat Officer (DPO), Incharge CMO and Block Medical Officer (BMO), District Immunization Officer (DIO) and representative of Baqaria Health Clinic Kargil.

During the meeting, issues with regard to planning, reporting, communication, elimination strategies of the MR vaccination campaign in the district were discussed threadbare.

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A detailed discussion was held with regard to implementation of road map formulated by the government for MR elimination from the country by 2023.

Rubella is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash. It’s also called German measles or three-day measles. This infection may cause mild or no symptoms in most people. However, it can cause serious problems for unborn babies whose mothers become infected during pregnancy.

The DC directed the health functionaries of the district to take all possible measures and focus on MR elimination in the district.

DC Santosh stressed on active participation of educational institutions, ICDS and PRI members in spreading awareness and sensitizing students about MR.

The DC directed the concerned department to organise health programs in schools and Panchayats to spread awareness about MR disease, its preventive measures and treatment.

He also directed the concerned officers to adopt multipronged interventions to identify the target and to control the disease at the right time.

The DC also highlighted the importance of acquiring complete knowledge about the preventive measures of Measles-Rubella disease and instructed the officers to identify target groups, conduct surveys and prepare separate plans for vulnerable groups.

He instructed them for a committed effort to achieve the objective of the campaign i.e to rapidly build up immunity for both Measles and Rubella diseases and ensure that all the children receive MR vaccine during the campaign.

A powerpoint presentation was also presented in which progress of immunization on Measles-Rubella in different village of district Kargil was displayed.

The presentation showed numerical data of district and block-wise surveillance indicators in UT Ladakh and block-wise Measles incidence in Kargil in 2022.

The Incharge CMO informed the meeting that most of the people migrate from their permanent residence and settle in main town Kargil. She requested for more staff in order to approach the target group on time.

The Deputy Commissioner gave a patient hearing to the request and instructed the incharge CMO to record entries of vaccinated children in order to avoid duplicacy. He also assured to hire staff for the same.  

DC Kargil directed the DPO Kargil to prepare a circular for Iron Folic Acid distribution in schools and Anganwadi Centres in the district.

During the meeting, the DPO requested DC Santosh for toilet facilities in different schools and procurement of sanitary pads for Self-Help Group in Sankoo.