95% immunization by 2016 end, says J.P Nadda

J.P Nadda Seeks support from private sector to manage logistics

Government seeks to partner closely with the private sector, to achieve the 95% immunization cover in the country by 2016 end. This was stated by the Union Health Minister, JP Nadda, at the first Health and Immunisation Conference on Innovations aiding Universal Immunisation Programme. The private sector should intervene to manage the programme in greater detail, especially in the rural areas, as implied by Nadda.

Nadda also suggested implementing the role of private sector in jointly developing cost-effective vaccines, and taking better care of logistics and cold chain management; for such vaccines. The coordination in rural areas can be a logistical nightmare, considering the remote population with less than fulfilled medical administration settings, and need to educate the concerned.

As reported by PTI,

"The government is targeting to immunise 95 per cent children population in the next 1.5 years. The government today is ready for all types of linkages and partnerships with the industry, with innovators," he said. The conference was organised by business umbrella body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Government has also been able to bring down the infant mortality rate (IMF) and under-5 mortality rate (MR), the two health indicators of any country under the programme.

"We have gone a long way in controlling IMF and under-5 MR. The under-5 MR has come down to 49 in 2013-14 from 118 in 1990. Similarly, the IMR has been reduced from 80 in 1990 to 40 in 2013-14," the minister said. He said the government has immunised close to 15 lakh children under the first phase of 'Indradhanush' immunisation programme in 201 districts, where the immunisation was less than 50 per cent.