Immunization Program

A crucial contribution came in the form of 800 Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) kits, which were presented to the NDOH.

These kits will enable healthcare workers to promptly respond to any adverse reactions that children may experience immediately after receiving their vaccines.

Dr. Ananda Amarasinghe, the team lead of WHO's Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization division, was present to personally hand over the AEFI kits to Dr. Edward Waramin of the NDOH.

Director for Public Health Services, Dr. Max Manape stated that the reason for this was because many people in the province and other parts of the country had refused to bring their children thinking that it is the COVID vacation being administered during immunization.

He made this remark during the meeting with a multi-party delegation of Australian MPs, including opposition leaders and delegates from the Global Health Asia Pacific who are in the country for a five-day trip to research and assess the development of pressing issues affecting communities in Papua New Guinea.

This grim statistics was given by World Health Organization PNG Representative Dr Pieter Van Maaren in Port Moresby today.

He made this remarks when handing over two vehicles to the Department of Health to support the immunization program in the country. 

“This lists PNG among the six high priority countries flagged by WHO as needing urgent and immediate improvement,” Dr Van Maaren said.

He added that many children die from preventable diseases like measles, meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B and pneumonia.