Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma today chaired a meeting to review the progress of the ongoing HPV vaccination campaign across the district. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner took a detailed review of the implementation of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive and emphasized the importance of achieving the set targets in a time-bound manner.
He directed the health department to ensure effective coordination at all levels so that the benefits of the campaign reach the eligible population across the district. The DC directed the CMO Kishtwar that all staff presently attached to other offices be immediately detached and placed back at their original postings to ensure adequate manpower in health institutions.
He further instructed the CMO to formally request the relieving of attached staff from the office of the Directorate of Health Services Jammu and National Health Mission to strengthen healthcare service delivery in the district. To improve accountability and attendance, the Deputy Commissioner ordered the implementation of biometric and geo-tagged attendance systems for health staff.
He also instructed Block Medical Education Officers (BMEOs) to regularly monitor health institutions and undertake field visits to review Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) screening and related health services. The DC further stressed the need for accelerating the generation of ABHA IDs under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and ensuring maximum coverage of beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana.
He directed the CMO to intensify efforts so that all eligible beneficiaries are covered. The Deputy Commissioner also directed the Health Department and the School Education Department Jammu and Kashmir to generate widespread awareness among eligible beneficiaries regarding the HPV vaccination campaign.
He emphasized encouraging students to motivate and inform their parents about the importance and benefits of the vaccine so that maximum participation and acceptance of the vaccination programme is ensured. Taking a serious view of poor performance, the Deputy Commissioner directed that non-performing ASHA workers be disengaged as per norms.
He also instructed that employees showing unsatisfactory performance should not be considered for service extensions. The DC emphasized that 100 percent targets must be achieved under key health programmes including NCD screening, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), HPV vaccination and routine immunization.
He further directed the health department to prepare a detailed micro-plan for RBSK teams to ensure systematic coverage of schools and health institutions. The Deputy Commissioner also stressed the need to strengthen Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities regarding the HPV vaccine, directing RBSK teams to actively engage with communities and educational institutions to create awareness about the benefits of vaccination. The meeting was attended by CMO Dr. Yudhvir Singh Kotwal, BMOs and other officers and concerned staff of the Health Department.