Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan called for strengthening universal immunisation programme (UIP) to eradicate infant mortality in the country and said there should be more research to fight disease burden.
He said the introduction of the Rotavirus vaccine in the UIP should be considered one of the most “pro-people decisions” taken by any government in recent years because it has the potential to drastically reduce infant mortality, particularly among the poorest sections of society.
Speaking at 11th International Rotavirus Symposium, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said Rotavirus is the primary cause of moderate to severe diarrhoea morbidity and mortality for children less than five years of age and by including it under UIP along with Japanese Encephalitis, Rubella and Polio, the government has sent a sharp signal of its commitment to the people.
“Earlier Rotavirus vaccines were expensive and beyond the reach of ordinary Indians. We are losing 52 children per 1000 live births every year. On top of that Rotavirus Diarrhoea snatches at least 1 lakh. This government did not lose time before introducing the vaccine in the UIP. The plan of action on its deployment has also been put in place,” he said.
Beginning 2015, the Rotavirus vaccine will be introduced as an additional dose along with the first, second and third doses of DPT in the UIP. It is also proposed to establish an expert committee to assess the progress in a few states and union territories on the basis of the disease burden and vaccine availability.
“Meeting the Millennium Development Goals is not an end in itself. After assuming office our government has launched a systematic study to make the public health care system user-friendly and accountable. The doctors have been told to work ahead of the deadline for meeting infant and maternal mortality targets,” he said adding indigenous research will be given a fillip under the new government.
“The government of Narendra Modi does not take decisions arbitrarily or on the basis populism, but relies only on evidence. Anything that is decided by the scientific community as good for protection of the lives of mothers and children will be dovetailed into the public health policy,” he said.
