31 May 2013

“MY World” Bringing the People of India into the Global Conversation



“I am thrilled that by making a simple phone call people can take a virtual seat at the UN to participate in a global conversation on the roadmap for the future” - Ms Priyanka Chopra

Mumbai, 27 May 2013 – The United Nations has invited citizens from around the world to vote on the issues that make the most difference to their lives. Over 560,000 citizens from 194 countries have already voted in one of the largest global surveys ever undertaken, providing real-time and real-world intelligence on what people think are biggest challenges.


In order to draw people from the most marginalized communities in India into this global conversation, Actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ms Priyanka Chopra launched the mobile application of the MY World survey today.

At the event hosted by the SP Jain Institute of Management Research and co-organized by the UNICEF and UN Millennium Campaign, Ms Chopra said, “This is a truly ground breaking initiative. I am thrilled that by making a simple phone call people can take a virtual seat at the UN to participate in a global conversation on a roadmap for the future. For the first time I feel we have an opportunity at hand to think ahead, think together yet individually and have a truly impactful plan for a future without poverty and suffering.”

The head of the UN system in India, Ms Lise Grande, emphasized, “Now more than ever, we need people to tell world leaders what they want. India is a global leader and when its people stand up for better healthcare, better education, decent work, pensions, sustainable energy for all, human rights and good governance, the world pays attention. The MY WORLD initiative is a way for Indians to shape the global development agenda. It’s an opportunity that’s too important to miss.”

2 May 2013

The vaccination of hope!


Government of India launches its new communication campaign for routine immunisation in India


Lack of awareness on routine immunisation, little or no knowledge on vaccine-preventable diseases, the need to reach out to some of the remote, high-risk districts in India to create demand for routine vaccination, has encouraged India to develop a holistic and integrated communication strategy on routine immunization. To be sure, the Indian government has declared 2012-2013 as the ‘year of intensification of routine immunisation’ in line with the World Immunisation Week 2013. What’s more, India has identified four rounds of special immunisation weeks in high-risk areas during the months of April, June, July and August.

With the aim to branding immunisation in a big way, so it can be visible in the minds of the people who are ignorant of its benefits, the Indian government through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the help of other stakeholders, including UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO), launched its unique communication strategy early this week that will roll out all over India in the next two-three months. This includes a new logo, television spot, radio jingle, besides posters informing people about the benefits of vaccines.

Government to intensify efforts on child vaccination.


To create awareness on the urgency to vaccinate every eligible child and intensify efforts to improve the coverage, the health ministry has launched special immunization weeks campaign

The communication campaign aimed at increasing awareness among people in remote areas, was launched by Ms Anuradha Gupta, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission on April 29, 2013 at New Delhi. The media event was held in presence of development partners and health officials, in collaboration with UNICEF, as a part of the first special immunization week (April 24-30).

Speaking to media, Ms Gupta mentioned that the special immunization week is an opportunity to reinforce India's call to action for child survival and development. "The new RI logo and other communication material will promote consistent messaging to raise awareness on the urgency of reaching every child with lifesaving immunization," added Anuradha Gupta while pointing towards a new RI logo, TV spot, radio spot and posters that have been included in the campaign. She also emphasized on the need of ensuring that all the vaccines given free of cost, reach every last child in the country.

Special immunization week launched to cover 184 high-rish districts

From: Political and Business Daily, New Delhi

Don’t forget vaccination to every child

From: National Duniya, All Edition

Immunization sessions to intensify efforts to reach every last child with vaccination.

From: Deepika, Kerela

1 May 2013

Measles immunization

Sixth round of measles supplementary immunization in progress

Supplementary measles immunization round underway last month in Vidisha District of Madhya Pradesh. This was  sixth round of measles supplementary immunization, reaching out 40 lakh children in age group of 9 months to ten years in sixteen districts of Madhya Pradesh. The rounds were conducted by Department of Health & Family welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh as per guidelines of Government of India, with technical support of UNICEF and WHO. Measles SIA started in Madhya Pradesh in year 2010 and till now 34 districts have been covered and 90 lakh children have been vaccinated by the Department of Health & family welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh. 

UNICEF says, Pentavalent is safe