Activists questioned the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC)’s typhoid vaccination drive as an RTI reveals a drop in number of cases.
“As per RTI records, there were just six cases of Typhoid. But the Corporation has spent close to ₹ 6.75 crore in the name of vaccination drive. This money could have been used for buying medicines in Out Patient Departments in Corporation hospitals,” Anarjit Chauhan, RTI activist said. As per data, in 2009 there were 113 cases of typhoid, in 2010 there were 15, in 2011, there were 179 cases, 122 cases in 2012, 85 in 2013, 46 in 2014, 54 in 2015, 19 in 2016, 33 in 2017 and six in 2018.
NMMC conducted a first of its kind campaign of free Typhoid Conjugate Vaccination (TVC) for children in the age group of 9 months to 15 years. The pilot project was planned to be implemented in two phases, as an initiative of Central Government in collaboration with the State government. The first phase of the campaign was implemented at 11 Urban Primary Health Centres in the Corporation area from July 14 to August 25. The manufacturing company of this vaccine provided upto 1 lakh doses free to NMMC and the corporation purchased the remaining 3 lakh doses.
Mr. Chauhan also said that he will be getting details on the exact number of children who actually got immunised. “I am sure this is a huge scam. I have filed a few more RTIs, which will reveal the real picture very soon,” he said.
However, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ramesh Chavan of Corporation said, “There are very few numbers of polio cases yet the government conducts an eradication drive. Similarly, even if the numbers are few, it is necessary to prevent and eradicate typhoid which can be life threatening if not treated on time. Many lower income group families have benefitted from this initiative who otherwise would not have immunised their children. At private clinics, the vaccination costs ₹ 2,000.”
Meanwhile, mayor Jayawant Sutar said, “Instead of waiting for the disease to increase and then spend more crores, it is better to spend some now and prevent it.”