A mission to save children

The UNICEF this week has embarked on a mission to close the gap in the huge number of unimmunised children.

The target is between the ages of 0 to 5 and women of child bearing age of 15 to 45 in NCD.

UNICEF says this is because the number has increased in the last 10 years. 

The last 10 years was when NCDC Health Services ceased its mobile clinic operations as well.

NCDC Health Services staff says this is purely to do with funding constraints.

While vaccinating children and women yesterday at Tatana village, health officers say such vaccination exercises in the past were conducted annually to ensure all children were immunised.

Sadly, this is not the case today.

Coupled with the funding constraints is manpower.

Many of the nurses who are part of the vaccination team are pulled out from their urban clinics.

They hope the government comes good with funding again so they can revive the mobile clinics.

For now, this vaccination is supported by UNICEF and depending on what has already been taken, children are given vaccinations for tuberculosis, hepatitis B, tetanus, whooping cough, measles and vitamin A to protect the eye.

UNICEF in collaboration with NCDC Health will set up four sites in each electorate in Port Moresby.

The sites are Tatana Village, Baruni Village, Hanuabada Village and Morata settlement.

Those living in and around these areas are urged to visit these vaccination sites.

The vaccination commenced on Monday 7th of May and will end on today (Friday 11th of May).

(The Four-Mile overhead bridge in Port Moresby)

Author: 
Charmaine Poriambep