Establishing External Monitoring System for Immunization Programme in Rajasthan

Agency : UNICEF Rajasthan

An External Monitoring Cell set up at IhMR wherein independent monitors monitor the immunization program (sessions, cold chain, logistics and progress at the district level) in all the 33 districts of Rajasthan. The monitors visited randomly selected PhCs as well as its randomly selected four session sites on MChN day i.e. on every Thursday of the week. Besides, they visited the district headquarters once in every month to see the cold chain and logistics. The monitors were monitored by the eMCI team (consisting of research officers) at IhMR. The data collected was sent to IhMR through fax/courier. The data was then analysed and compiled into three reports, namely the detailed report, the state report and the districtwise report. The state report was sent to the state higher authorities, the detailed report was sent to the authorities next to the state authorities and the district report was sent to the district authorities. There were review meetings for the monitors every two months at IhMR with the aim of improving the quality of monitoring. The external monitoring showed an improvement in inputs, logistics and coverage of immunization. There was a change in the working of the whole immunization system as a result of the eMCI. The health workers have started showing more attention at the session sites as a result of the external monitoring. The quality of the cold chain and the availability of logistics have improved in the district as well as at the PhC level. The elaborate system of data management and submission of updated monthly reports within the stipulated time at three levels (state report, detailed report and district report) have helped address the problems in logistics as well as in the cold chain maintenance. It has also helped to improve the functioning of the immunization programme in Rajasthan


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