#GoodNews: Himachal Health Worker Features in 2018 WHO Calendar

Geeta supplied vaccines to the children of shepherds and Gurjar community residing in remote areas of Raygarh.

Geeta Verma, a female health worker from Himachal pradesh’s Madi district has received global recognition after being featured in the World Health Organization (WHO) calendar for 2018. Verma, who hails from Sapnot village of Karsog tehsil, made it to the calendar for completing task of ensuring almost cent percent coverage under measles and rubella programme in her area of operation, Times of India reported.

Reportedly, Verma had taken charge of a campaign to immunise children belonging to remote villages of Mandi while being deployed at the Shakardehra health sub-centre. As part of her job, she contributed immensely to the grass-roots for every immunisation campaign launched in remote corners and trekked through treacherous terrains. In September last year, an image of her riding a motorcycle on the rough terrain of the Seraj valley while carrying measles rubella (MR) vaccine box earned her much adulation on social media, the report added.

Her treks involved supplying the vaccines to the Gurjar community and children of shepherds residing in makeshift camps in the secluded areas around Seraj valley.

Congratulating Geeta on her feat, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that “it was a matter of pride for the state that a woman health worker has been featured in a WHO publication.” In a press release, the minister hailed her for making the “state proud.”

The CM appealed that all employees should have such commitment towards their jobs and impulse for serving the people with dedication.

Measles is a highly contagious infection that kills young children while rubella causes congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) that occurs in pregnant women and can cause irreversible birth defects. On 5 February 2017, with WHO’s backing, India launched vaccination campaigns against measles and rubella to improve the health and welfare of its people, Times Now reported.

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(With inputs from Times of India, Hindustan Times, Times Now)

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