Imphal, June 11 2009: In the face of poor transport infrastructure and dismal power supply in the interior areas of hill districts, a large number of women and children are yet to enjoy the benefits of immunisation programmes.

Taking part in a review meeting on Strengthening of Routine Immunisation 2008-09 held in the conference hall of the Directorate of Family Welfare Services yesterday, District Family Welfare Officers posted in hill districts said that non-availability of electricity and poor transport infrastructure have been the two main impediments preventing many pregnant women and children from enjoying the benefits of immunisation programmes.

During the meeting, District Family Welfare Officers of the nine districts presented reports of immunisation programmes conducted between April 2008 and March 2009 .

Of the total number of 4728 children targeted for immunisation during April 2008-March 2009 in Churachandpur district, only 54.31 percent could be immunised.

Against the targeted figure of 5540 pregnant women for Tetanus Toxoid (TT) immunisation, only 39.69 percent could be covered.

According to the Churachandpur District Family Welfare Officer, out of nine Primary Health Centres in Churachandpur district, only three have electricity connectivity.

The is no provision in the lone Community Health Centre.

But drugs used in immunisation need to be stored under regulated temperature.

Above this, poor transport infrastructure often delayed officials in travelling to interior villages for immunisation programmes.

In Tamenglong district, only 52.40 percent of the targeted number of 2567 children could be covered.

The figure was slightly lower for pregnant women at 50.07 percent.

For Senapati district, 78.84 percent of the targeted number of 6986 children were immunised.

The figure of TT immunisation amongst pregnant women was 50.07 percent as against the targeted figure of 7664 .

With the coverage rate of 97.49 percent against the of targeted number of 3068 percent, Chandel district fared better regarding immunisation of children.

The corresponding figure of TT immunisation among pregnant was also comparatively higher at 79.86 percent against the targeted figure of 3381 .

Against the targeted figures of 4285 children and 4739 women in Bishnupur district, the coverage rate were 78.08 percent and 72.08 percent respectively.

Whereas 7814 children and 8242 women were targeted for immunisation in Thoubal district, only 80.68 percent and 58.92 percent could be covered respectively.

The figures were lower in Ukhrul district as only 59.25 percent children and 48.96 percent pregnant women could be immunised as against the targeted figures of 3102 and 3413 respectively.

The rate of TT immunisation among pregnant women was highest in Imphal West district at 99.38 percent against the targeted figure of 9689.Out of the targeted figure of 8806 children, 84.92 percent were immunised.

The respective figures of immunisation among children and women in Imphal district were 76.12 percent and 71.23 percent respectively.

These were against the targeted figures of 7801 children and 8136 women.

Addressing the review meeting, Family Welfare Director Dr Raghumani stressed on the importance of coordination to ensure immunisation programmes 100 percent successful, particularly in interior areas of hill districts Regional Director of Family Welfare Dr A Inaoba observed that the reports on the coverage of immunisation programmes were higher than those actually covered on the ground.

Exhorting the Family Welfare Officers to give correct reports, A Inaoba asserted that there should be any variation between official reports and what was actually covered on the ground.

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