Immunization crisis may develop due to economic crisis during COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis with 61, 149,391 confirmed cases and 370,478 deaths till 29May, 2020 [1]. This pandemic has shattered many economies with an estimated loss of $5.8 trillion to $8.8 trillion globally. This economic loss can result in reduction in funds to World Health Organization. Unfortunately, United States of America (USA) has announced termination of any further funding to WHO which can lead to another global health crisis[2]. As WHO is a voluntary funding based organization its main donor are America, China, Japan, Germany and United Kingdom. Among these USA is the main donor with a contribution of $115.8million alone followed by China $57.4 million, Japan $41million, Germany $29.1 million and UK $21.9 million [3].  America’s termination of funding can put WHO and child health programs in serious crisis. Among many programs run by WHO one of the most important program is immunization of children. Immunization coverage programs  save 2-3 million livesper year causing decline in measles related deaths, eradication of polio, surveillance of rotavirus, BCG and DTaP vaccination in children[4]. It is estimated that during MillenniumDevelopment Goal (MDG) there is overall decline in child related mortalities due to malaria, measles, diarrhea, AIDS and meningitis [5]. Remarkable results are achieved with measles are diarrhea immunization programs causing a decline in death rate by 73% and 80% respectively. According to a study with current success rate diarrhea related deaths can be virtually eliminated by 2030. Another successful program is “End Polio” program which eradicated polio from world except from Pakistan and Afghanistan [4][6]. This termination of funds to WHO can waste all previous efforts in developing countries. On the other hand despite of all efforts still 19.4 million children did not received prescribed dose of vaccines. Data analysis revealed among these  60% of children belong to 10 developing countries namelyAngola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Viet Nam [4]. These countries mainly rely on foreign funding and Non-Government Organization (NGOs) for child health care programs.

Innovation in Practicals

This study highlights the fact that practical work in science teaching needs radical changes, if we want our students to become problem solver' scientists. WHAT I SET OUT TO DO I introduced the skills of hypothesizing, planning the experiment and inferring, in the conduct of practical work, in a government school. The time I had was 28 days. WHAT I DID I worked 4 days a week, during which I conducted interviews before and after the introduction of the new approach. In my sample were 2 teachers and 5 students. Initially the teachers planned the lesson with me, and then they brought it to action in the science classroom. WHAT I FOUND OUT It was found that presently the emphasis was on rote learning. Students blindly followed the procedure directed by the teacher. All the instruction and even conclusions were determined before. Also found was the fact that the new strategy of hypothesizing, planning the experiment and inferring which I introduced in my study, provides opportunities for the students to think and reflect upon their work. This would aid their cognitive development and help them to become real problem solving scientists. Also studied in this dissertation were the various constraints such as time and resources. The effect of the present examination system which promotes rote learning has also been discussed.