New Delhi (NVI): The immunisation services resumed recently in Sri Lanka after remaining completely suspended in the month of April, as the country’s health system tried to come terms with the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report.
With the resumption of immunisation programme, women and children are back at immunisation centres in Sri Lanka, following a rigorous appointment-only schedule put together by health workers, as per the WHO report.
Due to the global Covid-19 outbreak, immunisation services have suffered, putting children at risk of diseases like Polio and Measles. WHO, in its reports said that by mid-May, the immunization backlog had been mostly cleared in Sri Lanka and it was business as usual.
“The resilience of Sri Lanka’s healthcare system has been tested several times in the past few decades, and it has proven to be strong, flexible, and resilient. This is largely due to both grassroots efforts and strategic planning. Very early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government conducted an evaluation, taking stock of existing resources and identifying gaps,” said Dr Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services.
The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health assessed in detail the Covid-19 situation in the country, which set the ground for re-starting the immunization programme by preparing guidelines on the resumption of services and conducting specialized trainings for health workers to ensure vaccines were administered, keeping in mind all COVID-19 related precautions and safety protocols, says the report.
“The Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services drafted guidelines using international best practices and implemented additional prevention and control measures. As a result, we were able to keep Sri Lanka’s healthcare system operational throughout our response to COVID-19 and to resume essential services, such as immunization, very quickly,” said Dr Jaisinghe.
The Sri Lanka government was aware that the fear of COVID-19 infection and restriction on movement due to the lockdown were keeping people away from health centers. To counter this, the Ministry of Health used mass media channels to allay fears, and inform people about the resumption of essential health services, including vaccination.
The Ministry also urged the community to bring their children to the immunization clinics. Extensive communication campaigns through print and the electronic media announced the resumption of immunization services, WHO said in its report.
To orient regional epidemiologists and community physicians in provinces and districts on measures to be taken to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the clinics, several virtual meetings were organized them. All safety protocols, such as physical distancing, hand hygiene and wearing of masks, were put in place and emphasized.
Dr Razia Narayan Pendse, WHO Representative in the country appreciated the quick resumption of immunization services amid the pandemic. “Sri Lanka has a long history of successful public health interventions, and thanks to decades of community engagement and consistent efforts to strengthen the health system, the country has near-universal immunization rates. Preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 is a top priority in Sri Lanka.
“However, it is important to ensure control measures are balanced with efforts to safeguard livelihoods and ensure well-being. Maintaining essential services, including routine healthcare procedures like immunization, is a crucial component of the government’s strategic preparedness and response plan,” she said.
Health workers are at great risk of contracting the infection, so special care was taken to protect them as immunization resumed. They were advised to wear appropriate personal protective gear, while providing essential health services. Appointments ensured no overcrowding in clinics, and for families where multiple women or children needed vaccination, health workers were advised to attend to all of them at one go.
Apart from that, existing fixed immunization clinics which people were familiar with, were used to provide vaccinations as opposed to outreach and mobile clinics, to ensure quality of immunization services and also to effectively manage any adverse effects following immunization.
Timings at immunization centres were extended and the frequency increased, as immunization services for pregnant women and children steadily picked up amidst the pandemic. The immunization sessions were also taking place during weekends.
Additionally, frequent review meetings were held with district and provincial health officers to assess the progress, identify challenges and define strategies to reach and vaccinate children who had been left behind, WHO said.
It is pertinent to mention here that Sri Lanka and the Maldives were declared measles and rubella free by the WHO on July 8.
-ARK
