India's nationwide lockdown, due to COVID-19, took a toll on the immunization of children across the country, with most newborns missing scheduled vaccinations in the first phase of lockdown. Routine immunization was suspended temporarily at the end of March after a directive from the Health Ministry. However, from the last week of April 2020, the Government of West Bengal permitted immunization with clear mention of social distancing.
As per government guidelines, only 20 vaccinations could be done per Village Health Nutrition Day (VHND). Due to limited staff at sub-centers, Ambuja Foundation's Health Sakhis stepped in to support ANMs by organizing VHNDs, helping with documentation, weight calculation, BP screening, sugar testing, and HB screening.
Sakhis ensured 100% attendance of those present in villages, spreading awareness through audio/video messages, distributing masks and sanitizers, and motivating families to visit sub-centers for immunization despite fear of COVID-19.
Though the target was 233 immunizations, Sakhis achieved 200 (85%). The remaining 28 beneficiaries were out of station due to lockdown, and 5 could not be vaccinated due to health conditions. Sakhis assured to cover them once the situation improved.
Beneficiary Stories
- Sagira Bibi from Dohitpur village: “My child Sahana Khatun (10 months) got her measles vaccine on time thanks to Sakhi Ajija Bibi.”
- Pratima Kisku from Kalaidanga village: “I forgot about the VHND session, but Sakhi didi reminded me and provided mask and sanitizer. I then visited the sub-center with her.”
- Pinki Mandal from Dohitpur village: “We were afraid due to COVID-19, but Sakhi didi assured us about social distancing and sanitization. My child got DPT-2, MR-2, and JE-2 vaccines.”
In April 2020, despite the lockdown, there were 24 deliveries, and Sakhis supported 22 institutional deliveries (91%). When ambulances refused to enter villages, Sakhis contacted health officials to arrange transport and motivated mothers to visit hospitals safely.
After deliveries, Sakhis continued postnatal care by visiting mothers and newborns, measuring weight, checking breathing, and training mothers on newborn care, all while following COVID-19 precautions.
More Stories
- Samima Bibi from Ranipur: She was at her maternal home in remote Jharkhand with no hospital nearby. Sakhi counseled her, paid Rs. 200 to a local driver when ambulance refused, and took her to Arjunpur hospital. She later delivered safely at Jangipur SD Hospital.
- Ansuri Hembram from Kolaidanga village: Her husband, a migrant laborer in Hyderabad, couldn't return due to lockdown. Sakhi visited regularly and later accompanied her to Beniagram hospital, where she delivered a baby girl safely.
