Launches book titled, ‘Aii- The journey so far 2014’
The Alliance for Immunization in India (Aii), a Civil Society Organization (CSO) platform for strengthening immunisation programme in India, celebrated its first anniversary on December 15 at the India Habitat Centre, in New Delhi. To commemorate the day, the Alliance and its CSO members organised the release of a book titled ‘Aii- The journey so far 2014’ on the journey of the Aii in the past one year. The book included the various field level activities undertaken by its members to spread awareness about the importance of routine immunisation (RI) across their respective areas of work.
Speaking at the event were health experts and heads of leading development and international organisations. The list of dignitaries included Anuradha Gupta, Deputy CEO of GAVI; Dirk Gehl, Sr Country Manager GAVI; Dr Naveen Thacker, GAVI Alternate Board Member; Dr Roma Solomon, Director, CORE Polio; Dr Jacob John, Health Expert; Dr Tony Castleman, CRS Country Director.
Highlighting the impressive work undertaken by Aii, Gupta said, “CSOs are the true conscience keepers…they can play a very important role in India. Aii can serve as an integrated service delivery platform for health in the country. We need to look at ensuring all vaccines for all children”. She further stressed that the Aii must focus on pockets with low immunisation coverage within the state.
The Senior Country Manager from GAVI, Gehl said, “CSOs in India have come a long way not just in terms of providing services but also in terms of being heard by the government and decision makers.”
The anniversary event was attended by representatives of various organisations working on child health issues, with a special focus on routine immunisation. The gathering comprised a diverse mix of state level CSOs and technical experts from Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Also present at the event were the representatives of the Bangladesh GAVI CSO platform. The group shared their valuable experiences on strengthening routine immunisation in Bangladesh. Some other sessions during the day focussed on the Update on Aii by Dr Bhupendra Tripathi (Aii Chairperson) update on Health System Strengthening by Dr Ambujam Kapoor Nair (PHFI-ITSU), Role of CSOs by Monica Chaturvedi (PHFI-ITSU).
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