Media’s role is crucial in creating awareness among people about government health services and also for clearing myths and doubts about vaccines, an expert said.
Media can also play a key role in helping the West Bengal government and Unicef in carrying out 100 per cent immunisation drives in the state by spreading the message that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing diseases, Dr Suresh Thakur, health officer, UNICEF, West Bengal, said.
“Media’s role is very important in creating awareness among the general population about government health services and in clearing doubts on immunisation programmes,” Thakur told PTI on the sidelines of a workshop on development journalism for healthcare issues held in Siliguri recently.
The workshop was organised by Kolkata Press Club in collaboration with Unicef, West Bengal.
“The media has done excellent work in the past to improve awareness and we look forward to their support in future too,” the health officer said.
UNICEF regularly conducts communication awareness programmes and media’s role is very important, he added
Vaccinations are considered the most cost-effective intervention that can improve the overall health of children.
Positive and evidence-based reporting by media can help the state government achieve 100 per cent vaccination in the state, Thakur said.
He said there are still some pockets in the state’s remote areas where people are not aware of the benefits of vaccines and that these are given free of cost to children and pregnant women in all government health facilities.
More than 6 lakh immunisation sessions are planned this financial year.
“Unicef has been working with the government of India and the ministry of health and family welfare on immunisation programmes for a long time. We have supported governments of various states in trying to orient, promote and also create awareness and mass mobilisation so that children get vaccines at the right time,” Unicef communication officer Suchorita Bardhan said.