Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_200513151.shtml
NEWS : Local News
Polio to be Chased Out from Sierra Leone
By Augustine Samba
Sep 28, 2009, 16:38 Email this article
The fourth round of the National Immunization Day (NID), which is slated to commence from 2nd to 5th October 2009, is aimed at finally eradicating polio from Sierra Leone, Dr. Joseph Abu told journalists on Friday 25th September 2009, at a press briefing held in Youyi Building, Freetown.
According to Dr. Joseph Abu, the Health and Sanitation Ministry, since 1996 to date, has recorded significant achievements in the fight against polio, courtesy of the help of WHO and UNICEF.
Dr. Abu however informed that the polio virus is still recording high occurrences in the sub-region.
He furthered that Sierra Leone recorded only a single case of the virus this year.
UNICEF Representative, Mr. Augustine Kabano disclosed that 585 cases of the outbreak of polio were reported in 17 countries in the sub region, this year alone.
He explained further that Guinea recorded 24-25 cases; Liberia, 9 cases and Sierra Leone 1 case.
He however, described as "a success" the progress made so far in Sierra Leone in the global fight against the virus.
Mr. Kabano said the government and people of Sierra Leone have proved a high sense of commitment in protecting children as well as in global efforts to eradicate the polio virus.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Mrs. Sadiyata Sesay said the objective of the campaign is to immunize all the children below the ages of five with a supplementary dose of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
According to her, the vaccine will be administered free of cost to the targeted children in order to cease the transmission of the virus.
The Minister appealed to parents, guardians and other stakeholders to ensure that all the under-five children in Sierra Leone receive the marklate during the four days period (October 2 ? 5, 2009). She added that it will be conducted take the form of house-to-house visits, public places including markets, slum areas in deprived communities in the country.
NEWS : Local News
Polio to be Chased Out from Sierra Leone
By Augustine Samba
Sep 28, 2009, 16:38 Email this article
The fourth round of the National Immunization Day (NID), which is slated to commence from 2nd to 5th October 2009, is aimed at finally eradicating polio from Sierra Leone, Dr. Joseph Abu told journalists on Friday 25th September 2009, at a press briefing held in Youyi Building, Freetown.
According to Dr. Joseph Abu, the Health and Sanitation Ministry, since 1996 to date, has recorded significant achievements in the fight against polio, courtesy of the help of WHO and UNICEF.
Dr. Abu however informed that the polio virus is still recording high occurrences in the sub-region.
He furthered that Sierra Leone recorded only a single case of the virus this year.
UNICEF Representative, Mr. Augustine Kabano disclosed that 585 cases of the outbreak of polio were reported in 17 countries in the sub region, this year alone.
He explained further that Guinea recorded 24-25 cases; Liberia, 9 cases and Sierra Leone 1 case.
He however, described as "a success" the progress made so far in Sierra Leone in the global fight against the virus.
Mr. Kabano said the government and people of Sierra Leone have proved a high sense of commitment in protecting children as well as in global efforts to eradicate the polio virus.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Mrs. Sadiyata Sesay said the objective of the campaign is to immunize all the children below the ages of five with a supplementary dose of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
According to her, the vaccine will be administered free of cost to the targeted children in order to cease the transmission of the virus.
The Minister appealed to parents, guardians and other stakeholders to ensure that all the under-five children in Sierra Leone receive the marklate during the four days period (October 2 ? 5, 2009). She added that it will be conducted take the form of house-to-house visits, public places including markets, slum areas in deprived communities in the country.