The Regional health director for North Bank Region East has spoken of the significance the Ministry of Health attaches to the protection of children from 0-5 years against polio.
Alh Karamba Keita was speaking in Kerewan North Bank Region at a sensitization of Technical Advisory Committee, ward councillors, women and youths ahead of forthcoming polio campaign scheduled for 19 and 22 September 2014.
He noted that this was an opportunity for parents to protect young children against polio, and thanked UNICEF for complementing government’s efforts in health care service delivery.
Alagie Jawara of the Department of Community Development, in his remarks, called on regional authorities to support the campaign, saying the awareness campaign aims to ensure full coverage of reaching the under 5.
He assured of the governor’s office continued support to realise a successful campaign.
Lamin Kanyi, Regional health promotion officer for North Bank West, thanked the communities for their support and participation in meeting the set target in the last campaign.
He said the campaign calls for concerted efforts of all, noting that Farafenni health region aims to reach over 44,100 under 5 children in Essau and Farafenni health regions.
The campaign would include giving vitamin A supplementation and mebendazole and calls on parents to be proactive.
He thanked the management of community radios in the region for their support to the health sector.
Fabakary Bass, a National Field Nutrition Officer, said Vitamin A supplementation would promote the growth and health of the under 5 children.
He added that the teams would be visiting households and called on people to cooperate with them.
Saharu Kanteh, Extended Programme on Immunisation (EPI) communication officer, said national immunization days are meant to supplement routine immunization programmes, adding that children must be vaccinated even if they had completed their routine vaccination schedule.
