Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy kicked off the free administering of rotavirus vaccines under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) across the Union Territory on Thursday.
Accompanied by Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, Mr. Narayanasamy administered the oral vaccine drops to an infant to launch the programme.
The vaccine will be stocked at all government health facilities and well-baby clinics and administered for free every Thursday.
The Health Department is targeting cent per cent immunisation coverage for rotavirus, on the lines of the polio and measles rubella vaccines, with the support of the all government and non-governmental organisations alongside active involvement of the community.
Rotavirus infection is a cause for severe diarrhoea in early childhood, often leading to hospitalisation where most babies do not respond to treatment. As an infection can be treated only by supportive measures, the preventive strategy (such as improving personal, environmental hygiene and proper vaccination) plays a major role in controlling this infection, the Department said. As per the schedule, the rotavirus vaccine will be administered orally (2.5 ml) to babies at six, 10 and 14 weeks of age.
Health Secretary Prashanth Kumar Panda and K.V. Raman, Director of Health Services, were among those who participated.
The Chief Minister also launched health kiosk ATM machines in select health centres in Puducherry to provide comprehensive primary healthcare in rural areas.
Special Representative John Kumar was also present.
The facility is a collaboration of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services and GCare Diabetes Council, an NGO.
The NGO will provide a kiosk machine, a telehealth ATM machine for examinations such as Hb,, blood sugar, BP, pulse rate spO2 (oxygen in blood) lipid profile, total cholesterol, height, weight, rar check and skin examination at all the health centres. All investigations are rendered free. The tele counselling facility makes it possible for patients at the sub-centre level to get video consultation with the specialist at district hospital..
As a first phase to implement the scheme, three kiosk machines have been placed at Kosapalayam, Lawspet and Nettapakkam. The scheme will be expanded in a phased manner.
