Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 583/18

MEASLES-RUBELLA VACCINATION CAMPAIGN IN MEGHALAYA

Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign is a massive national campaign to eradicate Measles and control of Rubella/Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) by 2020. To achieve this goal, Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign is being launched in the country targeting all children from 9 months to 15 years of age. The MR campaign is being planned to be conducted in Meghalaya from 24th September, 2018 onwards. Measles is a highly infectious disease and causes a lot of childhood morbidity and mortality among children below 5 years of age. Rubella infection, although mild, can lead to foetal death, spontaneous abortion and a set of serious birth defects know as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) if an unimmunized woman is infected during early pregnancy, resulting in huge health burden to the family and the society. Both these diseases can be prevented by highly effective and safe Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine. The campaign aims to rapidly build up immunity for both Measles and Rubella by immunizing the target children with a single dose of MR vaccine and also provides a second opportunity for children left out in routine immunization at the age of 9 months (1st dose) and 16-24 months (2nd dose). The MR Campaign is scheduled in end-September for a period of 5 weeks with the target beneficiaries for MR vaccine being children between 9 months to 15 years. A single dose of MR vaccine will be administered to all the target children during the campaign. Following the campaign, MR Vaccine will replace Measles vaccine under Routine Immunization, given as two doses at the age of 9-12 months and 16-24 months.

Press Release No. 595/18

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME AT PURIANG

A One day Special Interactive Programme (SIP) on the theme “Doing our bit, towards building a progressive society” was organized by the Office of the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, East Khasi Hills, Shillong and supported by the Social Service Centre (Life Project), Archbishop’s House, Shillong at Puriang village, under Mawryngkneng, C&RD Block on 7th September, 2018. The programme was chaired by Shri Bantei Mukhim, Sordar, Puriang village which was attended by Fr. Bernard Laloo, Director, SSC, Shri P. S. Lyngdoh, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, East Khasi Hills, villagers and members of SHGs of Puriang and adjoining villages. The Special Interactive Programme was participated by the departments of Commerce and Industries, Horticulture, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary. Speaking on the occasion, Shri P. S. Lyngdoh, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations said that the main objective of the programme is to provide a platform for the officers to highlight the activities, projects and schemes of the department and also to facilitate direct interaction between the government officials and the people at the village level. He also urged the villagers and the members of the SHGs to make full use of this programme and ask questions to clear their doubts and misunderstandings. The resource persons for the day include Smti. A. D. Nongbri, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Smti P. Iawim, ADO, Dr. D. Dkhar, AH&VO, Smti L. Khongrymmai and Smti A. Mawlong, IPO gave a power point presentation on the various schemes available under their respective departments. Later on the programme, officers from various departments interacted with the villagers and gave clarifications to their queries on certain issues.