Port Blair, Jan 8: The UT Administration has taken a significant step through Directorate of Health services and Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) for prevention and control of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) for Jarawa’s under-five children and pregnant women. The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) here conducted a study on the immunity status of Jarawa recently and based on the findings, it was decided to conduct the maiden vaccination of Jarawa under five children and pregnant women started on Jan 6, 2016 at PHC Kadamtala.
Around 29 children and one pregnant woman were administered vaccines as per the Universal immunization Programme (UIP). The team of specialists consisting of Dr Omkar Singh, CMO (NFSG) Medical Specialist GB Pant Hospital, Dr Amitabha De, Deputy Director (Tribal Welfare /Malaria), Dr Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health) /State Immunization Officer, Dr Tapash Kumar Dakuya, Epidemiologist, IDSP and Padmashree Shanti Lakra, ANM monitored the event. Special protocol and arrangements were made by MO i/c PHC Kadamtala and the vaccinated children and women were kept under observation for a day and later discharged.
The Aung Sena of Jarawa played a vital role in educating the Jarawa for getting vaccinated and it was also observed that the Jarawa volunteers and AAJVS staffs helped in bringing beneficiaries to the centre. In continuation of the vaccination, it has been decided to administer vaccines to other Jarawa to in different parts of the islands. The program was conducted under Government of India scheme “Mission Indradhush”
