Mokokchung meeting calls for joint efforts to strengthen immunisation

Mokokchung, October 16 (MExN): A convergence meeting on strengthening routine immunisation was held at the Conference Hall of the Chief Medical Officer's office in Mokokchung on Friday, organised by the TATTVA Foundation and UNICEF.Welcoming the participants, Dr Takosunep Ao, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Mokokchung, highlighted the collective role of various stakeholders in protecting children through vaccination.Dr Limanaro, District Programme Officer (UIP and RCH), Mokokchung, delivered a presentation on the benefits of routine immunisation and minor side effects that may follow vaccination.She identified lack of awareness and ignorance as the main reasons for vaccine hesitancy and called upon participants to take ownership and responsibility for educating the community.She emphasised that strengthening routine immunisation was not solely the responsibility of the Medical Department, but required the collective efforts of allied departments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to safeguard the community.Wapang Imsong, District Coordinator of the TATTVA Foundation, presented the routine immunisation status in blocks covered under the GAVI intervention. He also highlighted reasons for children not receiving vaccinations in the community.The meeting held discussions on how the Education Department, Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mokokchung Municipal Council, churches and civil society organisations could support immunisation through their routine activities.Members of allied departments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, along with District Programme Management Unit (DPMU) personnel and staff of the Chief Medical Officer's office, attended the meeting.The convergence meeting aimed to strengthen coordination among departments and community organisations to improve routine immunisation and protect children's health.