Polio campaigns kick-off in Jonglei State
By Philip Thon Aleu
April 27, 2009 (BOR TOWN) – To avoid “the risk of children contracting the disease,” Jonglei Health Ministry in collaboration with International Health partners launched a comprehensive three-day polio immunization today to end on 29 April.
Polio cases had increased in Southern Sudan this year to 46 cases reported so far, Jonglei Minister of health Dr. Agot Alier Leek said. There are 3 cases of polio in Jonglei this year; up by 1 from 2 last year, Mr. Leek revealed. The immunization started in all the 11 Counties of Jonglei State Monday with official launching by State Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk at Bor Civil Hospital this morning.
The increase in polio cases, Dr. Agot Alier noted, is partly due to the massive returns of displaced persons and refugees to home areas from exile.
“Jonglei is a very vast state and again it is this State; bulk population was displaced and most people where in refuge,” he said adding “together with our partnesr in health – the WHO [World Health Organization] and UNICEF, we are trying our level best to see to it that, by the end of this campaign, all children will be reached.”
At the launching of the polio this morning, three flights charted to various took off for the three days task.
Also present at the official immunization where the first drops was given the first child by Governor Kuol Manyang where state Ministers John Antipas Ayiei of Education, John Amuor Kuol and Deputy Governor Hussein Mar Nyuot.
Polio is a dangerous disease that cripples children and can also kill. It can permanently paralyze and even cause death within hours. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. Polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life.
In Juba, within the framework of the three day campaign of mass polio vaccination in the whole southern Sudan, Ms Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior wife of late Dr John Garang de Mabior, administered the polio vaccination drops to children under five years of age.
These campaigns will continue until Southern Sudan is polio-free again and all children are safe from polio. Parents are urged to get all of their children under five years of age vaccinated even if they have already received the drops. The polio vaccine is safe and even sick children can be vaccinated.
(ST)