The proposal is a part of the draft health policy recently approved by the government
In a radical move, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala has proposed in its draft health policy that vaccination certificates should be mandatory for school admissions. Vacccination is the biggest intervention in reducing child mortality and India in 2016 lost 6.4 lakh babies before they completed their first month of life.
Among the other proposals in the policy are making installation of napkin vending machines and sanitary disposal facilities compulsory in schools from the upper primary level.
The draft health policy, approved during a state Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, envisages a stringent law to make the vaccination card compulsory for admission in the first standard.
The focus on vaccination comes in the backdrop of stiff resistance from certain quarters and false propaganda against the recent state-wide drive. The latest instance of resistance was against the measles-rubella vaccination programme – aimed at protecting children from the two major diseases – in some districts, especially in Muslim-dominated Malappuram.
The draft health policy, approved during a state Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, envisages a stringent law to make the vaccination card compulsory for admission in the first standard.
It also proposes legal action against persons who campaign against vaccination. The policy was drafted by a 17-member committee headed by Planning Board member and Kerala University former Vice- Chancellor Dr B Ekbal.
“Steps will be taken to strengthen the vaccination drive in a more effective manner especially in the wake of returning of diseases like diphtheria and tetanus in several places,” the draft policy said. Action would be taken to set up child-friendly and hygiene toilets in schools.
A movement to create awareness on menstrual hygiene among teenage girl students would be initiated, it said.
A state-wide network of ambulance on the lines of online cab aggregator Uber would be introduced to provide emergency trauma care to road accident victims.
The policy also focuses on the steps to meet the health problems faced by migrant labourer force in the state, estimated to be around 25-30 lakh.
