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Scale-up routine immunisation along with COVID-19 vaccination: WHO

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/9

The World Health Organization has urged countries in South Asia Region to enhance routine immunization along with the ongoing efforts to rapidly increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

“The vulnerability to vaccine preventable diseases has increased with the pandemic disrupting essential immunization services and surveillance for vaccine preventable disease. Though efforts are being made, much more needs to be done specially at the sub-national levels and to reach the unreached and underserved population,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South Asia, at the Seventy-Fourth Regional Committee meeting.

Recalling the strong progress made until the onset of the pandemic, the Regional Director said, by 2019 the Region was in a historically best position related to vaccine preventable disease control with 91% coverage with three doses of DTP vaccine (DTP3). Ten of 11 countries had achieved more than 90% DTP3 coverage.

Though routine immunization services were among the first essential services that countries began to restore during the pandemic, the DTP3 coverage in the Region dipped to 85% in 2020. The number of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children increased to 4.9 million as against 3 million in 2019. Surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases was also affected.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted implementation of strategies for measles and rubella elimination, a flagship priority in the Region. The estimated coverage with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) in the Region declined to 88% in 2020 compared with 94% in 2019. Similarly, coverage with the second dose of measles-containing vaccine declined to 78% in 2020 compared with 83% in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has also resulted in surveillance gaps in several countries and has delayed implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and other immunization-related activities.

“There is an urgent need to repair the damage caused by COVID-19, to regain the momentum achieved in the previous decade, and to protect infants, young people and adults with life-saving vaccines,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.

The ongoing Regional Committee meeting discussed the Strategic Framework for the South-East Asia Regional Vaccine Action Plan 2022−2030 which focuses on the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination and restoration of immunization systems and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We need to ensure strategies are in place to maintain and enhance routine immunization without impacting the efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, the Regional Director said. Adequate human resources for routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination, efforts to build confidence among people to access immunization services and having Standard Operating Procedures in place for enhancing immunization activities immediately following cessation of lockdown periods, are some of the critical measures that need to be taken, she said.

“Implementation of the framework will need high-level political and programmatic commitment and partner collaboration to which WHO is committed,” the Regional Director said.

Countries in the Region are making unprecedented efforts to expand COVID-19 vaccination coverage with over 915 million doses administered across the Region. The availability of more vaccine doses in recent weeks has helped scale up coverage.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Region has maintained its status of having eradicated polio and eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus. Measles elimination has been achieved and maintained in five countries, while two of these countries have also achieved rubella elimination. Four countries have been verified as having achieved hepatitis B control through immunization.

The Regional Committee meeting is the annual governing body meeting of WHO South Asia Region. Being hosted by Nepal, the meeting is being held virtually for the second consecutive year in view of the pandemic.

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Asian Development Bank to support new education reforms

Published

2 hours ago

2025/06/22

Priyan

The representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have expressed their full support for the new education reforms undertaken by the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

These remarks were made during a discussion held on Friday (June 20) at the Parliament premises between the Prime Minister and Mr. Takafumi Kadono, ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, along with other ADB representatives

During the discussion, the Prime Minister explained the steps which have already been taken for the new education reforms and for the implementation of the new reforms in the upcoming year.

The Prime Minister also elaborated on future plans of the government regarding the preparation of new curriculum, development of human resources in the education sector, improvement of infrastructure, and initiatives in general education, vocational training, higher education, and early childhood development.

The Asian Development Bank conveyed their satisfaction with the new education reforms and reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the development of education sector including teacher training, infrastructure upgrades, and the advancement of digital technology.

The meeting was attended by ADB representatives, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training Nalaka Kaluwawa, and other officials from the Ministry of Education.

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Buddhist philosophy can restore spiritual life to a society consumed by wealth and power – President

Published

2 hours ago

2025/06/22

Priyan

The centenary inauguration ceremony of the historic Sri Dalada Poson Perahera at the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya in Kurunegala was held on Saturday (21) afternoon with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The annual Sri Dalada Poson Perahera, which commenced in 1925, marked its 100th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, a special commemorative stamp was issued.

President Disanayake presented awards and certificates to students who excelled in various competitions held parallel with the centenary celebrations. In his address, the President stressed that no society, regardless of its material progress, can thrive without spiritual and moral foundations. He noted that a nation’s cultural and social development must be rooted in ethical and spiritually aware citizens.

Highlighting the relevance of Buddhist Jataka stories and cultural traditions, the President remarked that these offer a valuable foundation for reviving spiritual life in a society increasingly consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power. He added that Buddhism teaches rulers to govern with compassion and accountability, values that are unfortunately eroding in modern times. He called for collective efforts to restore these cultural roots and to foster a spiritually enriched society.

Responding to critics, the President stated that despite claims that the current government would abandon such traditions, the day’s celebration clearly demonstrated its commitment to preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

The ceremony was attended by Most Venerable Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayaka of the Malwatu Chapter; Venerable Anamaduwe Saddharmakeerthi Sri Rathnapala Buddharakkhitha Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya; North Western Province Governor Tissa Varnasuriya; Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Prof. Chandana Abeyratne; State Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, along with a large gathering of devotees and officials.

News

All services of the President’s Fund officially launched at Divisional Secretariat level

Published

2 hours ago

2025/06/22

Priyan

The official launch of providing all services of the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats across the island took place on Saturday (21) morning at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat.

Coinciding with the launch, a special training workshop for officials in the Northern Province was held at the same venue, as part of a series of workshops aimed at decentralising the President’s Fund operations to grassroots level.

Since 7 February this year, applications for medical assistance from the President’s Fund have been accepted through all Divisional Secretariats across the country. Following the successful implementation of this programme, steps have now been taken to extend digital access to all other services offered by the Fund.

Accordingly, the public can now apply online for a range of services including poverty alleviation assistance, educational scholarships, recognition for academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, aid for children affected by the human-elephant conflict, recognition for national and public service and emergency or disaster relief. This marks the first time in the Fund’s 47-year history that services, previously limited to Colombo, are accessible via any Divisional Secretariat nationwide.

This advancement follows a decision made by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, chaired by the President. It is expected to improve efficiency, expand access to a wider population and minimise opportunities for misuse.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, Mr Roshan Gamage, briefed attendees on the Fund’s responsibilities and range of services.

As part of the government’s digitalisation drive, the official rollout of online services of the President’s Fund also took place during the event.

Minister of fisheries, aquatic and ocean resources Ramalingam Chandraseker, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, the Kilinochchi and Jaffna District Secretaries, other senior government officials from the Northern Province, regional officers of the President’s Fund and its administrative staff were present at the occasion.

(PMD)