Student absenteeism in Maharashtra turns hurdle in measles-rubella vaccination drive
The state education department on Thursday asked officials across the state to address student absenteeism during the measles-rubella (MR) vaccination drive, as per the Centre’s directives, which started on November 27 to ensure 100% coverage across all schools.
‘It has been observed that in some schools, students are absent on the day of vaccination. Officials should ensure that awareness should be created in such schools where parents should be told about the need for vaccination to ensure 100% coverage,’ stated a recent circular.
Dr Chandrashekhar Chiplunkar, assistant health officer, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said of the 5,98,687 children who were supposed to be vaccinated as on December 6, 4,29,994 (71.8%) were vaccinated.
“Initially, some schools and parent bodies refused to take part, but after a number of parent-teacher meetings by our health officials, they finally agreed to take part in the vaccination programme. Still, even now after sending updates of date and time of the vaccination, we found more than 28% are yet to be vaccinated owing to several reasons such as absenteeism and no consent from parents,” he added.
When asked him about the plan of action , he said they will try and convince the parents about benefits of vaccination. “Vaccination isn’t mandatory but it’s essential. We will keep trying to convince parents and teachers about its benefits in order to achieve our target of 30 lakh children across the city.”
Arundhati Chavan, president of the Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) united forum said many parents have not been sensitised well. “The corporation should ensure that well-trained officials who can address all queries of parents are deployed,” said Chavan.
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‘Anti-gangster Act and witness protection bill on cards in Punjab’
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces educational, health reforms for state
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PROA passes resolution against financial commissioner revenue for mistreatment of officers
Punjab revenue officers' association has passed a resolution against financial commissioner revenue Anurag Aggarwal, condemning his alleged arrogant and humiliating attitude towards revenue officers. President of PROA, Gurdev Singh Dham, said that a meeting of executive body of the association was held to discuss various issues, including revengeful attitude and misbehaviour of FCR Anurag Aggarwal towards revenue officers.
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Ruins of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s mansion to host religious event on his death anniversary
In an effort to regain the lost splendour of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's historical buildings at his summer capital Dinanagar in Gurdaspur and promote tourism, the district administration, for the first time, will organise a religious event in the ruins of the Sikh ruler's mansion on June 29 to mark his death anniversary. During the religious function, path of Sukhmani Sahib will be held in a pandal.
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HC allows Jalandhar man to go abroad; says pendency of an FIR no ground to deny him permission
The Punjab and Haryana high court has allowed a Jalandhar man, an accused in a criminal case, to go abroad, observing that pendency of an FIR would not mean that The petitioner, Kanwalpreet Singh Kalra would not return back. The petitioner, Kanwalpreet Singh Kalra, had approached the high court after he was denied permission to fly to Canada to attend the convocation ceremony of his daughter by a Jalandhar court.
