According to a study, 33 out of 1,000 newborn babies die within four weeks in Nepal. The government has to bring it down to 15 by 2015 to achieve one of its Millennium Development Goals. The government has not been able to bring down the neonatal deaths since 2006. [break]
Various reports have shown that a large number of children get left out from the vaccination drive. No wonder, Nepal figures on the forefront among the countries with high child mortality rate.
The Child Health Division (CHD), under Ministry of Health and Population, says that the special immunization campaign will extend throughout the year. "No children will be left out of the vaccination drive,” the director of CHD, Dr Shyam Raj Upreti said. He said that the government is also preparing to announce ´Special Year´ for immunization.
The special immunization campaign that will be launched in 11 countries of South East Asia simultaneously will be supported by World Health Organization. Dr Upreti said that the representatives of local bodies will also participate in planning the campaign. “We are holding consultations for strengthening the current health system in the country," he said.
Dr Upreti informed that additional manpower will be recruited to make the campaign successful. "Female Community Healthcare volunteers will be mobilized the whole year round for the purpose," he said, adding, “We will also rope in representatives of political parties, local NGOs and community workers for their help in spreading awareness about the campaign.”
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