Anti Polio Campaigns Launches In Juba The Ministry of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan in partnership with UNICEF has launched a three day polio vaccination campaign in Juba targeting 3.1 Million children in South Sudan. 29 March 2011 Anti Polio Campaigns Launches In Juba Dr. Luka Monoja vaccinating a child at the Launch venue, Juba [©Gurtong]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 28th March, 2011 [Gurtong] - The Ministry of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan in partnership with UNICEF has launched a three day polio vaccination campaign in Juba targeting 3.1 Million children in South Sudan. The nationwide campaign was launched at Nyakuron Cultural Center yesterday, where mothers and children less than five years, persons affected with polio, the GOSS and United Nations dignitaries all gathered to witness the launch. The Chief Guest of Honor Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, GOSS Minister of Information and Broadcasting representing the Vice President Dr. Riek Machar declared the start of the polio vaccination campaign. In his keynote speech, H.E Marial said that fighting to kick polio out of South Sudan requires collective efforts of all stakeholders. He urged all communities to report children less than fifteen years with any suspected symptoms and signs of polio to the government for action. The Minister also urged all international partners to continue with their tireless efforts in fighting the epidemic. He said that as the virtual independent State becomes a full Republic by July, the GOSS will ensure that the upcoming generation is free from polio and all other related diseases. Dr. Luka Monoja Tombekana, the GOSS Minister of Health on the other hand said that, the Ministry is targeting to fight the epidemic because it posses a great threat to the lives of many South Sudanese. “This is to promote a healthy motherhood and healthy childhood,” said Dr. Luka. The Minister pointed out that, inaccessibility in many areas due to poor roads infrastructure in South Sudan is one of the main challenges hindering the campaign efforts. Marial urged the attention of the international community on the same. Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Director, Southern Sudan urged every parent and stakeholders to fully participate in keeping the killer disease out of South Sudan. “Let’s all work together strongly to kick polio out of Southern Sudan,” the UNICEF Director said. She told Gurtong in an exclusive interview that, the campaign will involve the distribution of Vitamin A drugs that are also very important in developing the immunity of children to protect them against several diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia and measles. “We have to reach 3.1 million children in whole of South Sudan in three days. It has been done before and will be done again,” said the Doctor. UN Deputy Coordinator for South Sudan, Liz Grande further added that, for the past two years, over 50million Oral Polio Vaccine, OPV, have been distributed to over three million children with a participation of 22,000 staffs in South Sudan. She urged the GOSS to establish budget to tackle the emergency of polio in the region. She further reiterated that, all people have roles to play in keeping polio out of South Sudan, urging also all implementing agencies to come together in eradication of the killer disease. Posted in: Home -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
