Shillong, Feb 7: The Office of the District Medical & Health Officer, East Khasi Hills District on Monday launched the District Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 at the Community Hall, Sohryngkham Neng, East Khasi Hills.

Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, local MLA, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, said that parents play a vital role in building a healthy society and in order to achieve this, mothers should come forward and avail the benefits provided to them by the government. The vaccines provided to them and their child is very critical for the overall well being of the mother and child.

He also encouraged the parents to get rid of the old mindset where fear, misconceptions and superstitions plays a big role in the low turnout of vaccination administration and institutional deliveries.

He also called upon the health fraternity to go the extra mile and conduct major awareness programmes and explain about the benefits of these vaccines. He urged the local dorbars to work hand in hand with the health department in order to gain the confidence of the people.

Dr. P Manners, State Immunization Officer, Meghalaya, informed that the Government of India had identified 3 districts in the state (East Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills) where Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 needs to be launched because of the low turnout in vaccination drives among pregnant mothers and children.

She also stated that due to the Covid – 19 pandemic in the last two years, mothers had been reluctant to come forward in administering vaccines to their children for fear of being infected, hence the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 has been planned to reach out to unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women.

It may be mentioned that the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0 will be launched in 3 rounds, i.e. 7th February, lasting one whole week, 7th March for one whole week and 4th April again for another whole week.