More than 12,000 children in 12 districts of Lumbini Province have been deprived of regular immunization due to the closure of immunization centers. While hygiene and sanitation programs are important for human development, not paying attention to human development compared to physical development poses a significant challenge.
According to Chintamani Gyawali, the official at the District Health Office in Rupandehi, even though 16 local levels in Rupandehi are fully equipped with immunization centers, only 82% have been entirely covered. To achieve 100%, efforts are being made through a detailed plan. He also mentioned that despite the increase in immunization centers, the problem of vaccine refusal still exists.
Vaccination is a natural right for all children. No child should be deprived of vaccination, and a long-term vision, objective, strategy, priority, and physical goal alignment should be maintained when translating plans for the upcoming year. Chintamani mentioned that such challenges are likely to arise until identity is established with a focus on these aspects.
Vaccination Officer Bhesraj Sharma said that the government’s plans will help achieve sustainable development goals, vaccination, sanitation, the mortality rate of mothers and children, infection rate and disability rate can be significantly reduced.
He said that within the National Vaccination Program, health institutions and municipality-level micro-plans will be formulated. They will discuss on the need to improve the current status quo of the municipality.
Waterhead Nepal’s quality monitoring officer, Manoj Nepal, said that if more attention is paid to hygiene along with vaccination, 70 percent of children will be protected from diseases caused by lack of hygiene, and 30 percent will be protected from vaccination.
He emphasized that family members should be educated on the importance of vaccination as health workers have an important role to ensure that no child misses vaccination and hygiene promotion.