Technical consultation on “Polio End Game in India: Critical Role of Medical Professionals”

CHF in partnership with Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and UNICEF held the National Consultation on 14th December 2014. About 50 participants from all regions of India participated in the national consultation.

Dr. Panna Choudhury, Vice Chairman CHF opened the meeting with his introductory remarks. Dr. Sunil Bahl, Technical Advisor to the WHO and Chief of the National Polio Surveillance Project with, spoke on “Polio Eradication & End Game Strategic Plan 2013-18” followed by Dr. T Jacob John, Chairman, CHF, who elaborated on “Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Role in Polio Elimination in India , the need and the potential. Dr Pradeep Haldar, Deputy Commissioner, Universal Immunisation Programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India spoke on “IPV Introduction Plan in India: Programmatic Challenges”. Rotarian Dr Sudhir Kumar, reiterated Rotary’ commitment in the end game polio strategy. Dr Anis Siddique, Program Specialist UNICEF India, spoke on the communication challenges the end game strategy will face. Dr. Naveen Thacker­ Secretary, CHF, led a very lively discussion with a panel of experts from IAP that included Dr Vijay Yewale, President IAP, Dr Vipin Vashishtha, Convener of IAP Committee on Immunisation and Dr. Pramod Jog, President Elect IAP 2016. It is proposed to conduct another workshop on similar line during the year 2015-16 at Uttar Pradesh.

Workshops on “Harnessing Power of Immunization: Opportunities & Challenges for New Vaccines”

Child Health Foundation in partnership with Global Health Strategies (GHS) and International Vaccines Access Center (IVAC) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health planned a series of workshops named "Harnessing Power of Immunization: Opportunities & Challenges for New Vaccines" for the pediatric and public health community. The objective is to train them on evidence, program, media engagement and advocacy activities involved in new vaccine introduction. These workshops with participants from private & government sector are being conducted in five regions of India, namely, Gandhinagar, Gujarat(West Zone)), Kolkata , West Bengal(East Zone)), Kochi,Kerala(South Zone), Indore , Madhya Pradesh(Central Zone), Delhi/Chandigarh(North Zone). These regional workshops will have participants from the neighbouring states. Workshop conducted so far are as follows:

15-16th November, 2014: Gandhinagar, Gujarat

The first workshop of the series was organized by Child Health Foundation in partnership with Global Health Strategies (GHS) and International Vaccines Access Center (IVAC) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co hosted by Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Gujarat and Academy of Pediatrics, Gujarat at Hotel Cambay Spa & Resort, Gandhinagar on 13th & 14th November, 2014. The workshop was attended by 52 participants from states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa. Dr. Prem Singh from ITSU represented Dr Ajay Khera, Dy Director, Child Health and Immunization, spoke about challenges to reach every child. Challenges in rural and urban environments are also different. Dr Nishith Dholakia, Dy Director, Family welfare and SEPIO Dr N P Jani, were also present for the workshop. Dr Andrea Sutherland and Ms Kelly Healy represented . Ms. Aastha Bhakri and Ms Jennifer Payne from Global Health strategies explained the need of all stakeholders to work together to take forward the advocacy agenda of immunization.

Dr. T Jacob John, Dr. Panna Choudhury, Dr Naveen Thacker and Dr. Deep Thacker were present on behalf of Child Health Foundation. Dr. Anis Siddique from UNICEF(IPV Introduction - Programmatic Aspects), Dr. Satish Gupta from UNICEF (Measles Rubella Elimination) Dr. Jyoti Joshi Jain and Dr. Deepak Polpakara from AEFI Secretariat, ITSU were the faculties from partner organizations. Dr. Sanjeev Goel (President AOP Gujarat), Dr Rajesh Maaheshwari( Jeswani) ( President Elect, AOP Gujarat) Dr. Nishchal Bhatt (Secretary, AOP Gujarat) also participated in the workshop.

14th-15th March, 2015: Kolkata, West Bengal

The second workshop in the series was held at Hotel Monotel, Sector V, Salt Lake, Kolkata on 14th & 15th March, 2015. The workshop was co-hosted by Indian Academy of Pediatrics, West Bengal. The workshop was attended by 48 participants from the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and 7 Northeastern States. Dr. Pradeep Haldar (Dy Director, Immunization, MOHFW) delivered a talk on Immunization in India: New Vaccines and Improving Routine Immunization. Dr. Devendra Khandait and Dr. Arindham Ray represented Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ms. Lois Privor-Dumm, Dr. Andrea Sutherland and Ms. Margaret Miller from IVAC, JSPH were also present throughout the workshop. Ms. Nidhi Dubey, Mr. Kaushik Bose, Ms. Mansi Mitthel & Ms. Sonya Soni from Global Health Strategies also attended the workshop. Dr. T Jacob John, Dr. Panna Choudhury and Dr. Deep Thacker were present on behalf of Child Health Foundation. Dr. Gagandeep Kang from CMC Vellore (Rotavirus), Dr. Anis Siddique from UNICEF(IPV Introduction - Programmatic Aspects), Dr. Satish Gupta from UNICEF (Measles Rubella Elimination), Dr. Jyoti Joshi Jain and Dr. Deepak Polpakara from AEFI Secretariat, ITSU were the faculties from partner organizations. Dr. Arup Roy (President IAP West Bengal) and Dr. Santanu Bhakta (Secretary IAP West Bengal) also participated in the workshop. The agenda for the workshop was similar to that of the previous workshop.

MOU with Care India Solution for Sustainable development

CHF has signed an agreement with Care India Solution for Sustainable development in February 2015 to carry out a research on “Understanding the causation of AES epidemic in Muzaffarpur to reduce Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) related morbidity & mortality in Bihar.”

It has been hypothesized that AES may have association with consumption of fruit Lychee (Litchi sinensis). It is documented that cases coincided spatially and temporally with lychee cultivation. Association of AES with lychee is important, interesting and challenging. Lychee seeds are known to contain a lower analogue of Hypoglycin A, namely, methylene cyclopropylglycine (MCPG). MCPG has not been analyzed in the ripe or unripe lychee fruit, but has been shown to cause hypoglycemia and derangement of fatty acid β-oxidation in liver cell mitochondria in experimental animals.

Plan of action on children during 2015 season:

1. Isolation & characterization of MCPG from litchi seeds to be used as standard.

2. Detection of MCPG in raw and ripe litchi fruit flesh, seeds and outer covering of fruit by HPLC/ GC.

3. Detection of MCPG in different cultivars of litchi fruit flesh by HPLC/ GC.

4. Biochemical analysis in patients

(a) Levels of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, acetoacetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate & non esterified fatty acids in theserum of patients.

(b) Mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids in RBCs of patients.

(c) Urinary organic acids by GC-MS in patients

(d) For treatment purpose, it can be explored that doses of 5% glucose (iv) to patients can reverse the biochemical responses.

Charitable activities

Report on the Medical Camp organized by Child Health Foundation & Shree Bajrangbali Charitable Trust at Gandhidham, Kutch, Gujarat

A medical camp was organized by Child Health Foundation and Shree Bajranjbali Charitable Trust at Shri Agrawal Sewa Samiti Hospital, Plot no 15, Ward 11-A, Bharatnagar, Gandhidham on 22nd February 2015. Medical checkup services and free medicines were provided for women and children.

Free blood sugar test was provided for Diabetic patients (children as well as adults).

The camp was inaugurated by representatives of Shree Bajrangbali Charitable Trust and Child Health Foundation by lighting a ceremonial lamp at 10 AM.Free consultation services were provided by Dr. Bhavik Khatri MBBS, DGO (a private practitioner in Gandhidham), Dr. Deep Thacker and Dr. Deepak Agnihotri from Child Health Foundation.Due to high number of H1N1 influenza cases in the region at that time, people were very apprehensive of even smallest symptoms of cough and cold. High number of patients were examined and treated. Patients were also made aware of symptoms of Influenza.Total of 570 patients were examined and given medicines. Time for the camp had to be extended till 4pm instead of 1pm due high number of patients. Medicine worth Rs. 22,138 was distributed.

Report on weekly charitable clinics at "Kalawati Memorial Charitable Hospital", Bijnor.

CHF through its Trustee Dr. Vipin M Vashishtha is carrying out weekly paediatric OPDs at this place for last many years. Free medicines are distributed to poor patients here. Around 100-150 patients are regularly treated in these weekly clinics.

Proposal of Collaboration with South Delhi Welfare Association (SDWA) at Delhi

CHF has planned to collaborate with SDWA to work in economically weaker residents of the South Delhi colonies prevention common communicable diseases like diarrhoea, pneumonia, tuberculosis etc and importance of family planning, immunization matters though awareness program. CHF would also partly fund for Free medical check up of children especially from weaker section, by a qualified doctor and distribute medicines and prescribe medicines to unwell children free.Part-time Tutor for giving tuition to needy children and promote hygienic practices for child health has also been proposed.