Govt of Odisha fails in immunizing children

To

Chairperson

NHRC

New Delhi.

Sir,

Greetings from PVCHR.

According to the media report the Odisha state government has asked 15 district collectors to pull up their socks to reverse the trend of falling immunization in their areas, registering a decline in the practice by about three per cent in the past two years. Incidentally most of these districts are economically backward and situated far away from the state capital. Majority of these districts have maximum tribal population.

 In her letter to the district collector, on 3.6.2011, the Health Secretary, Ms Anu Garg writes "Immunization is one of the most cost effective strategies for reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. Orissa had shown improvement in the immunization programme over the past decade. However, some districts have been pulling down the state's average and there needs to be greater focus on immunization in these districts."  The Fourth Common Review Mission (CRM) Report 2010 of the National Rural Health Mission found major gaps in the state's immunization coverage too.

Sir, as reported in the news paper the decline in the percentage of fully immunized children is a cause of concern in the state and a reluctant and indifferent approach of the department to address the most fundamental need of the most vulnerable section of the society.

I sincerely request NHRC to organize an independent enquiry for the state health department failing in its primary responsibility. 

Sir, please find the newspaper information attached for your perusal.

With regards,

Dr. Mohanlal Panda

Advisor, PVCHR

Main Office: SA 4/2 A, Daulatpur, Varanasi-221002
Mobile:+91-9935599333

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