A meeting of the District Task Force Immunization(DTFI) and District Advisory Committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique Act(PC-PNDT) and Tuberculosis Forum Meeting convened at the District Administrative Centre

Namchi, February 17(IPR): A meeting of the District Task Force Immunization(DTFI) and District Advisory Committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique Act(PC-PNDT) and Tuberculosis Forum Meeting was convened at the District Administrative Centre, today.
The meeting was chaired by Ms Annapurna Alley DC Namchi and had the presence of Dr SN Adhikari CMO Namchi, Mr Laxuman Tamang CDPO Namchi, along with other officials and the committee members of the Namchi district.
At the onset of the meeting, Dr BK Chauhan DRCHO gave details of the status of schemes and programmes implemented under DTFI. He informed about the preparedness for the upcoming National Immunization Day and National Deworming Day which will be observed on 3rd March and 11th March, respectively. He briefed the proposed timeline for Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization programme such as vaccinator and supervisor training, constituting of Block Level Taskforce, and funds allocation, etc. He added that a total of 176 NID booths will be set up in the district for routine immunization of the vulnerable children of high-risk areas and further screening will be carried out in door to door campaign. To assist the vaccination programme, teams comprising ASHA and Aanganwadi workers will be mobilized for effective outcomes, he added.
DRHCO further informed that due to the high prevalence of Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in the state, timely distribution of deworming tablets to students and other left-out children is already being followed through in the district. Recognizing that measles and rubella elimination target by December 2024 set by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the action plan is prepared accordingly. Reports of measles, Rubella, and other cases are monitored by the committee and a proper response system is constituted to tackle any outbreaks, he explained .
Bijay Laxmi Rai Senior DPHNO spoke on the objectives of the PC-PNDT Act 1994 in the meeting. She threw light on the committee’s role, responsibilities, and the provisions provided as per the act in case of violation by the USG Centres.
Ms Mikila Lepcha, DQC gave an overview of the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS), LaQshya, and Kayakalp programmes in the district. She underscored the needs of essential criteria that need to be filled in to qualify for standard certification. She apprised that last year Yangang PHC and Nandugoan HSC received the NQAS certification while Temi PHC and Sadam Turuk HSC have been selected for assessment for the year 2024.
Dr Prateek Rasaily DTO spoke on the aim of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) implemented under the district, and also provided statistical data on TB cases reported and recovered in the district. He further highlighted various measures taken up under Nikshay Poshan Yojna to financially support TB patients.
Dr. SN Adhikari CMO Namchi informed that under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) a Mission Mode Cataract Surgery campaign to make Cataract Blindness Backlog Free District, will soon be launched in the district by Namchi District Health Department in coordination with Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital. For which, Kitam, Kamrang, Gom, Wok, and Omchu areas are being selected for door-to-door surveys for Cataract and Visual Impairment. He added that the surgery will be provided free of cost which he requested to sensitize about this campaign and help to achieve the status of cataract blindness backlog-free district in the state.
DC Namchi in her address, requested proper coordination between the officials and the public for effective implementation of any programmes and schemes. She further emphasised carrying out IEC activities to reach out at the grassroots level. She also encouraged the health officials to proactively work stating the importance of a healthy community for the holistic growth of society.