The lockdown enforced to thwart the spread of Covid-19 has disrupted immunisation services in Jammu and Kashmir has impacted approximately 77% of children in the age group of 1-5.
In simple terms, seven in every 10 children were denied access to immunisation on time – reveals an online rapid survey conducted by NGO Child Rights and You (CRY).
The study, named ‘Rapid Online Perception Study about the effects of Covid-19 on children’, was conducted during the first and second phases of lockdown based on responses of parents/primary caregivers from all across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.
A total of 387 respondents from Jammu and Kashmir participated in the survey.
Explaining the relevance and imperativeness of the study, Soha Moitra, regional director, CRY (North) said, “As immunisation programmes witnessed a major setback during the lockdown across the country, the results of the survey across 23 states and Union territories found nearly 50% of parents with children below five years of age unable to access immunisation services. The figure was considerably high in Jammu and Kashmir with 77.14% children below five years unable to get immunisation services.”
According to the rapid online perception study, in J&K, nearly 35% of the respondents reported that their children had not received medical help during the lockdown, resulting in difficulties to cope with their children’s illnesses and health hazards.
{{/usCountry}}According to the rapid online perception study, in J&K, nearly 35% of the respondents reported that their children had not received medical help during the lockdown, resulting in difficulties to cope with their children’s illnesses and health hazards.
{{/usCountry}}The study also talks about more systemic arrangements and logistical preparedness to ensure that children with no or compromised digital reach are not deprived of the right to education.
With online classes introduced as a substitute for schools during the lockdown, access to education for children remained a major issue of concern, as many of them, especially the ones from marginalised and financially poor backgrounds found it difficult without smartphones and internet access.
The survey findings revealed that in only 27.62% households in the UT, school-going children could access online classes on a regular basis, the national figures are equally worrying with children of barely 41% household could access online classes – thus raising a serious question about the justification of virtual classrooms as an alternative of school education on a long term basis, until every household is equipped with internet access and smartphones.