Jiwaka records strong start as East Sepik launches polio campaign

Jiwaka PHA Nursing officer McKenzie Siwi with his child at Kudjip clinic site for polio immunization.

Papua New Guinea’s fight against polio is gaining momentum, with Jiwaka Province reporting steady progress in its fourth day of immunization while East Sepik officially launched its campaign yesterday in Wewak.

In Jiwaka, the Provincial Health Authority (PHA) has so far vaccinated 33,297 children under the age of 10 out of the provincial target of 112,893. Daily figures show Anglimp-South Waghi leading with 17,905 vaccinations, followed by North Waghi with 11,068, and Jimi District with 4,324. This represents 30 percent coverage after just three days of the campaign.

Jiwaka PHA Advocacy and Communication supervisor Andreas Pruu said progress has been encouraging but stressed the importance of daily awareness in hotspot areas such as Banz, Kudjip, Minj, and Kindeng markets

“These areas are densely populated, so continuous awareness is critical to support vaccination teams and mobilizers on the ground,” Pruu said.

He said coverage in remote Jimi and Kambia remains below average due to sparse populations and poor road conditions, making access difficult.

Meanwhile, in East Sepik, the 2025 Polio Immunization Campaign was officially launched today at Kreer Primary School in Wewak. The event follows the National Department of Health’s declaration of a polio outbreak on May 15, 2025, and marked the symbolic first administration of the oral polio vaccine.

Nurses of the East Sepik Provincial Hospital preparing to Administer the first dose of Polio Immunization Campaign. (NBC News)

East Sepik Provincial Health Authority (ESPHA) Chief Executive Officer Mathew Kaluvia, through Curative Services Director Dr. Julius Plinduo, urged collective responsibility in eradicating polio.
“We want to declare that let’s fight against polio, and it is everyone’s business to actually put hands, stand together to eradicate the virus,” Dr. Plinduo said.

Deputy Provincial Administrator Godfried Raushem, who also chairs the Boram School of Nursing, officially opened the campaign, emphasizing collaboration between health, education, and government bodies.

Dr. Plinduo confirmed that the immunization drive will be carried out in two doses, with the second round scheduled for next month to ensure full protection.

With both Jiwaka’s campaign well underway and East Sepik’s now launched, health authorities are urging parents across the country to bring their children forward for vaccination to help stop the spread of the virus.