The Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) is a remarkable health initiative that has gained international recognition as one of the 12 best practices worldwide. The program will be highlighted in an upcoming edition of the British Medical Journal (BMJ), coinciding with the fourth Partners Forum conference in New Delhi, organized by the Government of India.
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health
The Partner’s Forum originates from The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), an alliance of over 1,000 organizations spread across 192 countries. This collaborative force works towards improving sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health, besides areas influencing health. Administered by a secretariat stationed at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, The Partnership’s impact is broad and vital.
India’s IMR and MMR Figures
Tracking health indicators such as infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) is essential for assessing the health status of a nation. As of 2016, India’s IMR stands at 34 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the MMR is at 130 per 100,000 live births.
Understanding the Universal Immunization Programme
In 1985, the Indian government introduced the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to combat mortality and morbidity among children and pregnant women. The program provides vaccinations free of charge against twelve diseases that could otherwise pose severe threats. Despite its scope and longevity, the UIP has managed to cover only 65% of children under one year of age.
Introducing Mission Indradhanush
To further enhance immunization coverage, the government put forth ‘Mission Indradhanush’ in December 2014. Which aimed to provide maximum protection to children against Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). The mission primarily targets children under two years of age and pregnant women, providing vaccinations against seven specific diseases with the aim of achieving a minimum of 90% immunization coverage across India by December 2018.
| Disease | Vaccination Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuberculosis | Covered |
| Diphtheria | Covered |
| Pertussis | Covered |
| Tetanus | Covered |
| Polio | Covered |
| Hepatitis B | Covered |
| Pneumonia | Covered |
| Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) | Covered |
| Measles | Covered |
| Rubella | Covered |
| Japanese Encephalitis (JE) | Covered |
| Rotavirus diarrhoea | Covered |
Funding and Impact of Mission Indradhanush
Though no separate funds are allocated for this initiative, the resources allocated for Routine Immunization are being utilized to achieve its goals. While the mission doesn’t directly target to reduce postnatal mortality, it does aim to counter diseases and deaths caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. It has already yielded significant results, increasing the rate of full immunization coverage from a previous 1% per year to 6.7% per year.
Evolution Into Intensified Mission Indradhanush
To capitalize on its initial success, the government launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) in 2017. This intensified version of the original mission aims at reaching each child under two years of age and every pregnant woman who might have been left uncovered by the routine immunization programme. One of the distinguishing aspects of IMI is its heightened focus on urban areas, thereby filling one of the gaps identified in Mission Indradhanush. With the target to increase the full immunization coverage to 90% by December 2018, the IMI represents a renewed commitment to the country’s health objectives.
