Kareena Kapoor Khan has been appointed as UNICEF India’s National Ambassador.
Tag: UNICEF
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WHO calls for intensified efforts towards childhood immunization
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization on Tuesday called for intensified efforts towards childhood immunization with a focus on reaching the 2.3 million unvaccinated and 650,000 partially vaccinated children.
The WHO’s South-East Asia Region complimented member countries for scaling up childhood immunization coverage to pre-pandemic level.
Every child deserves to be protected against life-threatening diseases with routine immunization, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the regional director of WHO’s South-East Asia region.
“The momentum built with impressive efforts and immunization service recoveries must continue to benefit every child for a healthy and productive life,” she said.
The WHO and UNICEF estimates for national immunization coverage for 2022, released on Tuesday, show that in WHO’s south-east Asia region the coverage rate for DPT3, third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines reached 91 per cent of the pre-pandemic level, a sharp increase from 82 per cent recorded in 2021.
The region has also shown a six per cent improvement in coverage of the measles vaccine in 2022 compared to 2021, moving from 86 per cent to 92 per cent.
The number of children who have not received even the first dose of DPT vaccine halved from 4.6 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in 2022.
Similarly, the number of partially vaccinated children — who have received at least one dose of DPT vaccine but not the complete primary series of three doses, reduced from 1.3 million in 2021 to 6,50,000 in 2022.
The south-east Asia region had the best immunization recoveries among all WHO regions which can be majorly attributed to efforts being made by India and Indonesia, Singh said.
India recorded 93 per cent DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic all-time high of 91 per cent in 2019 and a rapid increase from 85 per cent recorded in 2021, she said.
“While we draw lessons from the pandemic to strengthen capacities to respond to future health emergencies, we must learn from countries which maintained their immunization rates even while responding to a pandemic,” said the regional director of WHO’s South-East Asia region.
“While overall immunization coverage levels are looking good and the progress encouraging, there remain variabilities in the coverage at sub-national levels in countries, especially in those with large populations.
“The inequities in immunization coverage leading to accumulation of pockets of unvaccinated children pose the risk of outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
These gaps must be closed,” Singh said.
The countries and partner agencies must continue to scale up efforts to identify unvaccinated children, strengthen the capacities of the health workforce, better understand and engage with vulnerable populations and roll out tailored strategies to reach every child, she added.
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization on Tuesday called for intensified efforts towards childhood immunization with a focus on reaching the 2.3 million unvaccinated and 650,000 partially vaccinated children.
The WHO’s South-East Asia Region complimented member countries for scaling up childhood immunization coverage to pre-pandemic level.
Every child deserves to be protected against life-threatening diseases with routine immunization, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the regional director of WHO’s South-East Asia region.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
“The momentum built with impressive efforts and immunization service recoveries must continue to benefit every child for a healthy and productive life,” she said.
The WHO and UNICEF estimates for national immunization coverage for 2022, released on Tuesday, show that in WHO’s south-east Asia region the coverage rate for DPT3, third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines reached 91 per cent of the pre-pandemic level, a sharp increase from 82 per cent recorded in 2021.
The region has also shown a six per cent improvement in coverage of the measles vaccine in 2022 compared to 2021, moving from 86 per cent to 92 per cent.
The number of children who have not received even the first dose of DPT vaccine halved from 4.6 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in 2022.
Similarly, the number of partially vaccinated children — who have received at least one dose of DPT vaccine but not the complete primary series of three doses, reduced from 1.3 million in 2021 to 6,50,000 in 2022.
The south-east Asia region had the best immunization recoveries among all WHO regions which can be majorly attributed to efforts being made by India and Indonesia, Singh said.
India recorded 93 per cent DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic all-time high of 91 per cent in 2019 and a rapid increase from 85 per cent recorded in 2021, she said.
“While we draw lessons from the pandemic to strengthen capacities to respond to future health emergencies, we must learn from countries which maintained their immunization rates even while responding to a pandemic,” said the regional director of WHO’s South-East Asia region.
“While overall immunization coverage levels are looking good and the progress encouraging, there remain variabilities in the coverage at sub-national levels in countries, especially in those with large populations.
“The inequities in immunization coverage leading to accumulation of pockets of unvaccinated children pose the risk of outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
These gaps must be closed,” Singh said.
The countries and partner agencies must continue to scale up efforts to identify unvaccinated children, strengthen the capacities of the health workforce, better understand and engage with vulnerable populations and roll out tailored strategies to reach every child, she added.
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Non-binary people face bias from doctors, says study
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Non-binary people who don’t identify themselves with any gender face more social stigma, biases and less access to sexual and reproductive health from doctors and other frontline workers as they don’t understand their unique health concerns, according to a latest pulse-check survey conducted by Dasra, a philanthropic organisation, UNICEF and other NGO partners.
However, it is not just the non-binary who face social stigma and discrimination. The survey found that women, especially unmarried women in the age group of 18-29 years, said they find it difficult to access contraception or approach healthcare and frontline workers like ASHAs and Aganwadi workers as they are at times not understanding, biased and don’t keep their information confidential. Single men, however, don’t face this uncomfortable situation.
“Young people were not comfortable identifying themselves as non-binary. They said the biggest barrier was the high cost in finding healthcare providers, gynaecologists etc., who are respectful and can provide care to young people, specifically who don’t identify in the gender binary,” said Aditi Agrawal, Project Lead, Youth Ke Bol (YKB), a pan-India, diverse and representative one million-strong youth-led coalition. Dasra formed the YKB in partnership with UNICEF YuWaah, and other NGOs like Restless Development and Yuvaa.
The survey, compiled into a report Youth Speak, was conducted in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in six states, including Tamil Nadu, on young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health and potential solutions to ensure improved access to contraception.
The study said over 95 per cent of the respondents wished that all young people in India could confidently walk up to a store and buy reproductive health products, including contraceptives. Agrawal said non-binary shared that they are asked questions by healthcare workers like ‘why they need contraception’.
“They said there is a lot of discrimination based on their identity. They face stigma as they don’t fit into either male or female. Their appearance and dress etc., have led to a lot of stigmas. They have also shared that they experienced violence because of their gender identity,” Agrawal told this newspaper. “All young people, irrespective of their sexual identity, who were unmarried and accessing contraception, especially women, found themselves facing stigma,” he said.
Unmarried people face discriminationUnmarried women in the age group of 18-29 years said they find it difficult to access contraception or approach healthcare and frontline workers like ASHAs and Aganwadi workers as they are at times not understanding, biased and don’t keep their information confidential.
NEW DELHI: Non-binary people who don’t identify themselves with any gender face more social stigma, biases and less access to sexual and reproductive health from doctors and other frontline workers as they don’t understand their unique health concerns, according to a latest pulse-check survey conducted by Dasra, a philanthropic organisation, UNICEF and other NGO partners.
However, it is not just the non-binary who face social stigma and discrimination. The survey found that women, especially unmarried women in the age group of 18-29 years, said they find it difficult to access contraception or approach healthcare and frontline workers like ASHAs and Aganwadi workers as they are at times not understanding, biased and don’t keep their information confidential. Single men, however, don’t face this uncomfortable situation.
“Young people were not comfortable identifying themselves as non-binary. They said the biggest barrier was the high cost in finding healthcare providers, gynaecologists etc., who are respectful and can provide care to young people, specifically who don’t identify in the gender binary,” said Aditi Agrawal, Project Lead, Youth Ke Bol (YKB), a pan-India, diverse and representative one million-strong youth-led coalition. Dasra formed the YKB in partnership with UNICEF YuWaah, and other NGOs like Restless Development and Yuvaa.
The survey, compiled into a report Youth Speak, was conducted in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in six states, including Tamil Nadu, on young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health and potential solutions to ensure improved access to contraception.
The study said over 95 per cent of the respondents wished that all young people in India could confidently walk up to a store and buy reproductive health products, including contraceptives. Agrawal said non-binary shared that they are asked questions by healthcare workers like ‘why they need contraception’.
“They said there is a lot of discrimination based on their identity. They face stigma as they don’t fit into either male or female. Their appearance and dress etc., have led to a lot of stigmas. They have also shared that they experienced violence because of their gender identity,” Agrawal told this newspaper. “All young people, irrespective of their sexual identity, who were unmarried and accessing contraception, especially women, found themselves facing stigma,” he said.
Unmarried people face discrimination
Unmarried women in the age group of 18-29 years said they find it difficult to access contraception or approach healthcare and frontline workers like ASHAs and Aganwadi workers as they are at times not understanding, biased and don’t keep their information confidential. -
Bengal girl prevents her marriage by dialling Childline; dreams of becoming nurse
By PTI
PURULIA: A timely phone call to Childline by a 15-year-old girl from a remote village in West Bengal’s Purulia district helped the teenager prevent her marriage.
Purnima Lohar (name changed) from Kashipur area, a member of a local ‘Kanyashree’ club that creates awareness on social evils, knew well that 18 years was the legal age for getting married.
Lohar said she had also learnt about the ills of child marriage from Asha and UNICEF trainers during her frequent visits to an Anganwadi centre at Dobapara, 260 km from Kolkata.
A few months ago, upon realising that she could soon be a victim, too, the girl had quickly dialled 1098 and informed Childline that her parents were forcibly marrying her off despite her wish to continue studies and become a nurse.
“As soon as I called Child Helpline, someone sought my name, address and other details. Administrative and police officials then visited my home and persuaded my parents not to marry me off as I was a minor,” Lohar told PTI at an anganwadi centre in Kashipur.
Asked if parents were angry with her move, she said, “At first, they were upset, but after the officials explained to them why a minor girl shouldn’t get married, they allowed me to continue my studies.
” Lohar said she wanted to become a nurse and serve humanity. “My father lost his job during the COVID-induced lockdown and considered me a liability for the family. But now, he understands that a daughter is an asset,” she said.
UNICEF Child Protection Officer Swapnodipa Biswas said the organisation has formed child protection committees at block and village levels in Kashipur, Jhalda and other parts of Purulia district to prevent child marriages.
Children are also being made aware about menstrual hygiene and reproductive and sexual health among other issues, she said.
UNICEF is providing technical support to strengthen schemes such as the West Bengal government’s flagship ‘Kanyashree’ to curb social evils such as child marriage.
It is also helping the district administration with the formation of ‘Kanyashree’ clubs to help reduce child marriage in 12 districts of West Bengal including Purulia.
Kanyashree clubs are groups formed in schools and other institutions to generate awareness among girls about health and other issues pertaining to them.
The girls then spread the same message in the neighbourhood.
In the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS), conducted in 2015-16, it was found that the rate of child marriage in Purulia district stood at 43.7 per cent. It came down to 37 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21), Biswas noted.
It is because of these girl empowerment initiatives, many inform Child Helpline or the district administration or the police if their parents try to fix their marriage before they attain adulthood.
Hemant Pramanik, the joint block development officer of Jhalda-I in Purulia, said, “Upon receiving reports of a family trying to marry off a minor girl, administrative officials visit the household and dissuade the members from doing so.”
Another district official said that the administration prevented two child marriages during the COVID-induced lockdown.
PURULIA: A timely phone call to Childline by a 15-year-old girl from a remote village in West Bengal’s Purulia district helped the teenager prevent her marriage.
Purnima Lohar (name changed) from Kashipur area, a member of a local ‘Kanyashree’ club that creates awareness on social evils, knew well that 18 years was the legal age for getting married.
Lohar said she had also learnt about the ills of child marriage from Asha and UNICEF trainers during her frequent visits to an Anganwadi centre at Dobapara, 260 km from Kolkata.
A few months ago, upon realising that she could soon be a victim, too, the girl had quickly dialled 1098 and informed Childline that her parents were forcibly marrying her off despite her wish to continue studies and become a nurse.
“As soon as I called Child Helpline, someone sought my name, address and other details. Administrative and police officials then visited my home and persuaded my parents not to marry me off as I was a minor,” Lohar told PTI at an anganwadi centre in Kashipur.
Asked if parents were angry with her move, she said, “At first, they were upset, but after the officials explained to them why a minor girl shouldn’t get married, they allowed me to continue my studies.
” Lohar said she wanted to become a nurse and serve humanity. “My father lost his job during the COVID-induced lockdown and considered me a liability for the family. But now, he understands that a daughter is an asset,” she said.
UNICEF Child Protection Officer Swapnodipa Biswas said the organisation has formed child protection committees at block and village levels in Kashipur, Jhalda and other parts of Purulia district to prevent child marriages.
Children are also being made aware about menstrual hygiene and reproductive and sexual health among other issues, she said.
UNICEF is providing technical support to strengthen schemes such as the West Bengal government’s flagship ‘Kanyashree’ to curb social evils such as child marriage.
It is also helping the district administration with the formation of ‘Kanyashree’ clubs to help reduce child marriage in 12 districts of West Bengal including Purulia.
Kanyashree clubs are groups formed in schools and other institutions to generate awareness among girls about health and other issues pertaining to them.
The girls then spread the same message in the neighbourhood.
In the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS), conducted in 2015-16, it was found that the rate of child marriage in Purulia district stood at 43.7 per cent. It came down to 37 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21), Biswas noted.
It is because of these girl empowerment initiatives, many inform Child Helpline or the district administration or the police if their parents try to fix their marriage before they attain adulthood.
Hemant Pramanik, the joint block development officer of Jhalda-I in Purulia, said, “Upon receiving reports of a family trying to marry off a minor girl, administrative officials visit the household and dissuade the members from doing so.”
Another district official said that the administration prevented two child marriages during the COVID-induced lockdown.
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UNICEF and WHO warn of ‘perfect storm’ for spread of measles outbreaks among children
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI: An increase in measles cases in January and February 2022 is a worrying sign of a heightened risk for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and could trigger larger outbreaks, particularly of measles affecting millions of children in 2022, warn WHO and UNICEF.
Pandemic-related disruptions, increasing inequalities in access to vaccines and the diversion of resources from routine immunization are leaving too many children without protection against measles, the acute viral respiratory illness, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, they said.
They further said as millions of people were displaced due to conflicts and crises including in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia and Afghanistan, disruptions in routine immunization and Covid-19 vaccination services, lack of clean water and sanitation, and overcrowding had increased the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.
Almost 17,338 measles cases were reported worldwide in January and February 2022, compared to 9,665 during the first two months of 2021. Apart from its direct effect on the body, which can be lethal, the measles virus also weakens the immune system and makes a child more vulnerable to other infectious diseases like pneumonia and diarrhoea. Most cases occur in settings that have faced social and economic hardships due to Covid-19, conflict, or other crises, and have chronically weak health system infrastructure and insecurity.
“Measles is more than a dangerous and potentially deadly disease. It is also an early indication that there are gaps in our global immunization coverage, which vulnerable children cannot afford,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.
“It is encouraging that people in many communities are beginning to feel protected enough from Covid-19 to return to more social activities. But doing so in places where children are not receiving routine vaccination creates the perfect storm for the spread of a disease like measles.”
As of April 2022, the agencies report 21 large and disruptive measles outbreaks around the world in the last 12 months. The figures are likely higher as the pandemic has disrupted surveillance systems globally, with potential underreporting.
In 2020, 23 million children missed out on basic childhood vaccines through routine health services, the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019.
Countries with the largest measles outbreaks since the past year include Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Ethiopia.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has interrupted immunization services, health systems have been overwhelmed, and we are now seeing a resurgence of deadly diseases including measles. For many other diseases, the impact of these disruptions to immunization services will be felt for decades to come,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.
“Now is the moment to get essential immunization back on track and launch catch-up campaigns so that everybody can have access to these life-saving vaccines,” he said.
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Young children’s diets show no improvement in last decade, ‘could get worse’ under COVID: UNICEF
As the pandemic continues to disrupt essential services and drives more families into poverty, the report found that COVID-19 is also affecting how families feed their children.
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UNICEF to provide India with 160 million syringes for vaccination against COVID-19
By PTI
NEW DELHI: UNICEF India has signed a USD 15 million agreement with COVID-19 relief initiative Crypto Relief to procure an estimated 160 million syringes to support India in its inoculation drive, according to a statement.
Under the agreement, UNICEF India will procure re-use prevention (RUP) syringes from manufacturers across the world through a global tendering process.
To maintain quality, only WHO pre-qualified manufacturers will be asked to participate in the tender.
Based on the global tender results, UNICEF will place orders with eligible bidders across the globe.
The syringes are expected to be delivered between September 2021 and January 2022, the UN body said in the statement.
“India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive is one of the largest in the world aiming to vaccinate over 994 million people above the age of 18 years. In this massive endeavour, as many syringes as vaccines are required to keep up the fight to contain the pandemic,” said Dr Yasmin Haque, UNICEF India Representative.
“We are bringing UNICEF’s expertise in procuring and delivering syringes to support India to fast-track vaccinations. Containing the pandemic will also help prevent the disruptions children are facing in education, in accessing health, routine immunization and nutrition services, along with ensuring safety and protection concerns,” she added.
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Children in India, three other Asian nations at extremely high risk of climate crisis impact: UNICEF
The Children #39;s Climate Risk Index has placed India as one of the 33 extremely high-risk countries with flooding and air pollution being the repeated environmental shocks.
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Vax.India.Now raises over USD 5 million to support India in its battle against COVID-19
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Vax.India.Now, a virtual fundraiser to support India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised more than USD 5 million, the organisers said on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
The concert was live-streamed globally on July 7, with UNICEF and AIG as beneficiaries.
Anuradha Juju Palakurthi, who backed the initiative through her Anuradha Palakurthi Foundation, said they are “grateful” for the generosity of large and small donors from around the globe who came together to support this lifesaving campaign.
“The dedicated, multi-national 160-person organization team is proud to have raised meaningful resources in India’s battle against this awful pandemic. I am grateful to the celebrities for lending their time and talent in particular, the immediacy of their response and commitment to the cause,” the Boston-based Indian playback singer said in a statement.
Anuradha also expressed gratitude to the Indian team “that had to work through a national lockdown”.
“The campaign is still open at VaxIndiaNow.com. Give today! We are all together in this and must continue to vaccinate individuals, to prevent more variants, and stop Covid 19. It is not over until it’s over,” she further said.
The event was hosted by popular comic-actor Hasan Minhaj, with the likes of Liam Neeson, Annie Lennox, A.R.Rahman, Pia Toscano, Zubin Mehta, Gloria Estefan, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, David Foster, Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, Asif Mandvi, Nishat Khan, Ranjani Gayatri Sisters and Matteo Bocelli participating in the concert.
Vax.India.Now also shed light on the ground realities in India amid the pandemic and educated viewers on how they can help save lives and make a real impact, according to the organisers.
Proceeds will support UNICEF’s efforts to ensure millions of crisis-affected and vulnerable children and families in India have access to life-saving assistance and services and help COVID-19 vaccines reach the ones in need, they added.
The fundraiser is sponsored by Anuradha Palakurthi Foundation, a project of The Giving Back Fund, the main benefactor of Vax.India.Now.
Vax.India.Now is being produced by JuJu Productions, run by Anuradha and her husband Prashanth Palakurthi, Charles Goldstuck, Marc Johnston and Erich Bergen and Wizcraft International Entertainment and Neelesh Misra of Gaon Connection.
Marc Pollick, President and Founder of The Giving Back Fund, said, “When our longtime Board member Prashanth Palakurthi proposed doing something truly significant on a worldwide scale to help his native India at this critical time, we jumped at the chance to help.
“This is what we are built for – to mobilize quickly and provide assistance and philanthropic administration to help those in need. At this moment in time, the need in India must become the center of the universe.”