DLTFC meeting for Elimination of Measles and Rubella held at Anantnag

ANANTNAG : The District Level Task Force Committee for elimination of measles and rubella met here today under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr Basharat Qayoom.

The member secretary of the task force apprised the chair that the district is on path for elimination of measles and rubella by the stipulated target year of 2023.

The District Immunization Officer informed the attendees that 99.5% coverage has been achieved for MCV 2 vaccination. She said that the district is presently classified as low risk in incidence of measles and rubella.

She said that the district has achieved the stipulated non measles non rubella discard rate and further presented the medical block wise surveillance and incidence report before the participants.

The DC said that block level task force meetings should be convened to fill out any gap areas. He said that it is essential to ensure 100% coverage of remote areas as well as carry out random sample checks to cross verify the data.

Discussing the availability of laboratory testing facilities, the DC pressed for accreditation of GMC Anantnag which is equipped with state of the art microbiology facilities so that tests can be carried out locally.

Dr Basharat also directed PO ICDS to ensure cooperation and leveraging AWCs in ensuring complete coverage of the target group. He directed CEO Anantnag to ensure sensitization of teachers so that measles and rubella cases in schools are reported.

He further directed CMO Anantnag and Dist. Immunization Officer to come up with a detailed IEC plan so that the public can be made aware of symptoms and reporting can be improved. He said a block wise framework for achieving elimination of the two diseases must be framed.

The meeting was attended by PO ICDS, CMO, District Immunization Officer, Dist Information Officer, DEPO and all BMOs.