Vaccine deficiency causing death of kids

Vaccine deficiency causing death of kids





Kozhikode: The government documents received as per Right To Information Act reveals that the closure of public sector vaccine units allegedly helped the private sector and had caused loss of crores and death of kids. During the year 2008-09, the country faced a serious shortage of vaccines. And the action taken by Union Health Ministry was not helpful. The documents make it clear that during this time the children affected by diphtheria and tetanus were high in number. The documents were received when Dr K V Babu, a social activist, intervened through RTI act. As per international standards the country has to store 18 crore doses of tetanus vaccines. But only 70 lakh doses were available. For the period May July 2009, there was no vaccines to be distributed. DTP vaccines also were not available from May 15 to July 8. When 4.5 crore doses were needed , the available doses were only 2.5 crore doses. Adding to the woes, the health ministry has not taken any action. Three public sector vaccine units were closed from January 2008 to February 2010, stating that it lacks the standard prescribed by WHO. Though production resumed, it still runs in the same guidelines. Health activists alleged that the action was to help private vaccine units.

Anbumani Ramadoss, who was the health minister in 2008, had told the Lok Sabha that there were no shortage of vaccines. But Brinda Karat pointed out by detailing the shortage through statistics. The minister refuted that saying there were only one or two incidents.

The price for 10 doses of BCG vaccine in the public sector is Rs 13 but the vaccine bought from private sector costs Rs 17.05. As per the statistics from hospitals under central government, as many as 562 kids died due to diseases, including Diphtheria. As many as 71 kids died in two government hospitals in Delhi. Health-parliament committee which was convened in October 2009 stated that deficiency of vaccines affected the Universal Immunization Programme of the central government. For check the deficiency, vaccines were bought from private sector in 2008-09 which incurred an additional debt of Rs 11 crore.

To read the documents received as per RTI act-visit www.mathrubhumi.com












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