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Wayanad touches 92 per cent in MR vaccination campaign

Kasargod achieves 90 per cent results; both districts likely to cross 95 per cent.

KOZHIKODE: Wayanad and Kasargod districts have achieved 92 percent and 90 percent results respectively in the measles rubella (MR) vaccination campaign as on November 29, though the going was tough in Malabar. The districts are also likely to achieve the target of 95 per cent. Wayanad, the agrarian district, has the least number of targeted population in Malabar-- 2.02 lakh children. "Wayanad is a hot spot of anti-vaccination propaganda after Malappuram and Kozhikode. But we tried multiple strategies to overcome the hurdles," says Dr V. Jithesh, district medical officer.

"It is not wise to speak science to reluctant parents. We selected people who are good communicators and who can communicate in the same style with the receivers. They included doctors, health inspectors, nurses, teachers and other volunteers," he said. District nodal officer of the campaign, Dr P. Dinish said that they had given a free hand to the medical officers concerned to chalk out strategies.

"For the resistant areas, a four-member group comprising DMO, NRHM programme manager Dr B. Abhilash, Dr Ajayan and myself directly went there and spoke to them after dividing them into small groups," he said. One-to-one discussions with them cleared several doubts. The campaign was close to 100 per cent in tribal areas.

Kasargod DMO Dr A.P. Dinesh Kumar said that they had to visit certain pockets seven times. "The district collector provided wholehearted support. Focused work in the resistant areas produced results," he said. Both the districts proved wrong the theory, 'Muslim-against-vaccination,' as Kasargod has 38 percent and Wayand 29 percent Muslim population.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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