Biennial Health Conference 2011 - Ministry of Health

Report of the 1st Biennial Health Conference 7-9 November 2011
Concerns were raised on the need to review surveillance reports as inconsistency
in the number of days undertaken for surveillance visits were noticed. However,
there was also a concern for cross checking of OPD, lab and MCH on zero reporting.
The forum deliberated on the need to strengthen screening mechanism for pilgrims
travelling to India through porous border by ensuring at least two drops of
polio vaccines being provided to the pilgrimages. The forum also raised concerns
over the immunization of day laborers’ children in the bordering towns and further
directives were sought on the matter. The forum directed to strengthen advocacy
and IECs for pilgrimage through various mass media.
Concerns were also raised on the large turnovers of existing trained EPI Technicians
and submitted the need to train new EPI Technicians to ensure adequate
replacement of EPI Technicians. The forum urged all health workers to strive
towards for achieving polio eradication certification from the WHO.
In order to intensify efforts towards eradication of Polio, the following were
recommended:
a. Maintain uniform standard operating procedures for AFP surveillance in all
districts;
b. Review AFP surveillance guidelines and ensure optimum enforcement;
c. To fill up the vacant post of the two Polio Commissioners; and,
d. Strengthen coordination in the border towns for eradication of polio.
NEW VACCINES AND SCHEDULES (YEAR OF INTENSIFICATION FOR
IMMUNIZATION) –
Mr. Tandin Dorji, CPO, CDD
The Chief Program Officer, CCD informed the forum on the importance of intensifying
of routine immunization in 2012 which was declared during the High
Level Health Ministers Meeting on “increasing and sustaining immunization
coverage in South East Asia, held on 2 nd August 2011, in New Delhi, India.
The forum was informed that though the national immunization coverage has
been achieved as 90%; as recommended by WHO, there is a need to accelerate to
achieve the target of 80% coverage in the districts. Therefore the need to address
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