Lions Club of Bhandup Xavierities
Measles Rubella Awareness campaign
India, along with ten other WHO South East Asia Region member countries, have resolved to eliminate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020. In this direction, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has initiated measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign in the age group of 9 months to less than 15 years in a phased manner across the nation. The campaign aims to cover approximately 41 crore children.
The Measles-Rubella campaign is a part of global efforts to reduce illness and deaths due to measles and rubella/CRS in the country. Measles immunization directly contributes to the reduction of under-five child mortality, and in combination with rubella vaccine, it will control rubella and prevent CRS.
In order to achieve maximum coverage during the campaign, multiple stakeholders have been involved, which includes, apart from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, other Ministries, development partners, Lions clubs, professional bodies, for example, Indian Association of Pediatrics, Indian Medical Association, Civil Society Organizations etc.
- Fewer than 100 thousand cases per year
- Preventable by vaccine
- Treatment can help, but condition cannot be cured.
- Requires medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging often required
- Spreads easily
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases ever known and is an important cause of death and disability among young children worldwide. Rubella can cause severe birth defects.
Under the Banner of Lions Club Of Bhandup –Xavierities , a rally was organized by ‘S’ ward of MCGM on 26-11-18 at 9.30 am to spread awareness about Measles and Rubella vaccination being administered to all the children free of cost by the state government from 27-11-18. This campaign was for the next four weeks.
The rally comprised of 898 personnel who included Doctors, Health workers, Anganwadi workers, MCGM staff, people from civil society & Lions Club office bearers.
Among the prominent personalities who attended the rally were MLA Mr. Ashok D Patil, film actor Mr. Arun Kadam, Mr. Bajirao Khairnar – Sr. Ward officer Bhandup Municipality and Doctor Vilas Mohakar.
From Lion Club-Multiple Council Chairperson Lion Sunil Patodia, District Governor MJF Lion K J Paul, Lion Rajesh Achari, Lion Sandeep Jadhav, Lion Namita Mishra, Lion Chaya Dusane, Lion Rajesuh Ballamwar, Lion Rajendra Mahanubhav and Lion Sudarshan Shetty, Lion Francis Joseph.
Lions Club provided caps, banner, and beverages to all the participants.
The awareness campaign covered a distance of 2.5 kms with a population of 4, 00,000 people.
It was a typical lazy Sunday afternoon when our Club President Lion. Rajesh Achari gets a call from Lion Mahanubhav. He expresses that he needs help in organizing a rally for launch of the MR campaign from Bhandup. In the same breath he also confirms that he has started from Navi Mumbai & will be reaching Bhandup in the next two hours after delegating some activities enroute.
He reached the residence of the President around 4 pm on 25th Nov, for a rally to be conducted the next day; he had contacted Mr. Bajirao Khairnar – Sr. Ward officer Bhandup Municipality who had also joined us for the meeting. We immediately contacted some friends, social workers & local politicians. Lion Mahanubhav explained the project & the plan over a cup of tea & hot snacks. He had come with a clear plan & he was full of energy. Immediately we left for Bhandup Municipal office - the start point of the campaign & studied the entire route.
Arrangements were being made for Lions Cap, tea & snacks for all participants.
The entire evening we were talking to various people to drum up support for the campaign. We wanted the campaign to be successful at any cost.
The day of the campaign the crowd assembled was beyond expectations. The seriousness of the disease & the awareness that needs to be created was one of the main reasons so many like-minded people had gathered.
The Campaign in Pictures...
