Only 48 percent coverage in Nagaland under Mission Indradhanush

Nagaland reported only 48 percent immunisation in two phases of the Mission Indradhanush programme, which aims to immunise children and pregnant women against seven dreaded diseases.

According to the health ministry, Nagaland had one of the poorest performances in comparison to other Indian states in the first two phases of Mission Indradhanush rolled out in 2014 and 2015.

"Mission Indradhanush has been very poor in northeast India. Nagaland had only 48 percent of coverage. The geographical conditions in the northeastern states are challenging," said additional health secretary C.K Mishra.

The objective of this mission is to ensure that all children under the age of two years as well as pregnant women are fully immunised against seven vaccine preventable diseases -- Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Polio, Hepatitis B and Measles.

The best coverage in other Indian states in the first two phases stands at -- 98 percent in Andhra Pradesh, 81 percent in Rajhasthan and Karnataka and 91 percent in Punjab.

The health ministry has decided to roll out the third phase from April 7 onwards.