The Union government’s flagship Mission Indradhanush — a programme for complete immunisation of children up to 2 years — is likely to suffer in Dakshina Kannada following the refusal of anganwadi workers to take part in the ongoing field survey to the identify the status of immunisation of children.
Dakshina Kannada is among the 17 districts in the State where the second phase of Mission Indradhanush will be conducted for four months from October 7. The first phase of the programme was done between April and June in high priority districts of Bengaluru, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Raichur and Yadgir. As part of the preparation for the second phase, training was given to health officers overseeing the programme. The health officers were then asked to carry out head count survey for three days between September 28 and September 30. This survey is a precursor to immunisation programme that will be done for seven days every month for four months.
Taluk Health Officers have reported to Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim about the lack of support of anganwadi workers for the programme. Of the 364 angwanwadi workers in Puttur, only 93 participated in the survey. There was poor response from anganwadi workers in Mangaluru Rural, Mangaluru Urban and Bantwal. The officers said the situation was better in Sullia and Belthangady. There are 2,302 anganwadi workers in the district.
In the absence of the anganwadi workers, the officials said they had made use of the services of Multi-purpose workers (MPWs), who have been taken on contract by the Mangaluru City Corporation for malaria detection and destruction of breeding sites. Paediatrician and Public Health expert Shantaram Baliga said use of MPWs for the Indradhanush programme will severely affect the malaria programme.
“Do not disrupt the ongoing programme, which has helped to bring down drastically the instances of malaria. If there is shortage of personnel, let services of non-government organisations be used,” Dr. Baliga said. Mr. Ibrahim said there was no question of exempting anganwadi workers from the programme meant for children’s health. “Unless there is a serious health issue, anganwadi workers have to be involved,” he said and directed the Child Development Project Officers in the district to ensure participation of all anganwadi workers.
Survey is a precursor to the immunisation programme that will be done every month
‘Poor response from anganwadi workers in Mangaluru Rural, Mangaluru Urban and Bantwal’
