4-21 May 2020, Thane - Maharashtra is the worst COVID-19 affected state in India, with 116 752 people tested positive as on 18 June 2020. The country-wide lockdown since 25 March 2020 to contain the pandemic has affected the routine health services with the health authorities stretched to care for COVID-19 patients. Fear of COVID-19 infection and transportation issues added to the risk of under-five children missing out their routine vaccination and pregnant women not getting proper antenatal care.
The health authorities stepped up to the occasion and in coordination with the Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Transport, buses were utilized as make-shift vaccination and antenatal care clinics. This innovative intervention managed to deploy buses to all 14 urban primary health centers, thus reaching out to pregnant women and children across the city of Kalyan and Dombivali. During the three-week drive, 108 sessions were conducted vaccinating a total of 1877 children and 327 pregnant women were administered tetanus vaccination. More than 300 frontline health workers administered vaccines to the beneficiaries while sensitizing mothers about the importance of routine immunization and creating awareness on key safety measures to prevent COVID-19.
The mobilization efforts undertaken by the Municipal Commissioner and state health authorities improved the turnout during the immunization drive. WHO field team provided support to the state health authorities for the continuity of immunization services by ensuring that health care workers were trained in infection prevention and control measures and equipped with personal protective equipment. The messages on the importance of immunization and key safety measures to fight COVID-19 were reinforced through the display of awareness material.
“I was initially apprehensive about moving out of the house to get my daughter vaccinated. Till now, she has never missed any dose. But with the country-wide lockdown and fear of COVID-19, I was scared. I’m thankful to the health authorities for taking this initiative to provide vaccination services at our door-step. When I stepped into the bus, I saw many women waiting patiently with their children.
They were all wearing masks and sitting at a distance. The health workers also informed us about the importance of routine immunization and key safety measures to prevent COVID-19”, shared Ms Kumud Jadav*, one of the many mothers who came out to vaccinate their children through the initiative of the government.
“WHO’s role in advocacy with Director Health Services (DHS) to continue the non-COVID essential services such as immunization was critical. This prompted DHS to direct all district health officers (DHOs) and medical officers to continue the immunization services by adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. Our surveillance medical officers coordinated activities with the deputy directors at the division level, DHOs, and medical officers at district and corporation level. Advocacy and coordination support encouraged the government to initiate temporarily halted immunization sessions through innovative approach”, shared Dr Rahul Shimpi, Regional Team Lead, Central India WHO.
“Ever since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, WHO India is working closely with the Government of India in areas of capacity development of the frontline health workers, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and risk communication. While responding to COVID-19, it is imperative to continue essential health services to ensure people do not die from other public health problems”, shared Payden, Deputy WHO Representative to India.
The importance of the continuation of health services for all areas including reproductive, maternal, new-born, and child health cannot be over-emphasized. Taking cognizance of the importance, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidance to states for the continuity of essential health services.
Disclaimer: **Name changed to protect the identity