Immunisation coverage remains stagnant at 84 pc for 12 years

EPI - Extended Programme of Immunisation.

The Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI) of Bangladesh achieved tremendous success of 84 percent coverage but has remained stagnant for 12 years and 16pc children remain beyond its coverage.

This was revealed at a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday by the Shasthya Surakhya Foundation and Unicef Bangladesh.

The findings are the outcomes of three studies conducted jointly by the Shasthya Surakhya Foundation and Unicef Bangladesh. It noted tremendous success in eradication or control of vaccine-preventible diseases. 

The EPI programme was launched on 7 April Healh Day 1979 World Health Day and in 1985 an initiative was taken to expand the programme to all Bangladesh and the immunisation coverage rose from 2 percent in 1984 to 83.9 percent now. 

The studies identified shortage of manpower as the handicap to increasing immunisation coverage and called for creation of an immunisation database, identifying the at risk areas end ensuring their coverage at specific geographical areas. They called for adequate budgetary provisions for primary healthcare and immunisation.

The keynote paper of the press conference was presented by Dr. Nizam Uddin Ahmed, executive director of sasthya surakhya foundation and director of the research studies while Prof Dr. .d Rafiqul Islam made the welcome speech and conducted the programme. - Greenwatchbd News Desk