Madang polio campaign reaches over 18,000 children

The Madang Provincial Health Authority has recorded 18, 478 polio drops, being administered on children zero [0] to ten [10] years old since the launch of the polio campaign in the province almost two weeks ago.

For babies ages 0 to 1-year-old, a total of 2, 131 have been immunized, for children between the ages of 1 to 5, the district has recorded 6, 600 and for those in the five [5] to 10 age group, a total of 9, 748 children have been vaccinated.

Karoi Kamac, Deputy Director of Public Health with the Madang PHA, said the other five districts of Bogia, Sumkar, Raikos, Usino/ Bundi and Middle Ramu; only started the campaign this week due to logistical issues, and their progressive reports for the first week should be out by tomorrow.

Mr Kamac said, “These are figures from health facilities in Madang Districts alone including the Provincial Hospital, Alexishafen, Madang Town Clinic, Sisiak, Yagaum, Utu, Danben and Jomba Clinic. For Sumkar District, Gaubin Rural Hospital on Karkar Island has also started and we will update on the progress on Friday. In Raikos District, Bawak, Ileg and Biliau have started on Monday. In Bogia, Hartzfeldhaven or Daigul Hospital has also started, for Usino/ Bundi, Brahman is the first to have started, and for the geographically- difficult district of Middle Ramu, only Simbai aid post has started, however; there has been nil report from there due to poor communication network.”

Some teams, meanwhile; have reported one or two setbacks to the smooth progress of this important exercise, mostly in schools and amongst religious groupings.

“Some schools have turned away the immunisation teams, stating they will have to seek permission first from parents. Also, certain churches are discouraging congregation members from allowing their children to be administered the polio vaccine. This sort of nonsense must stop. Church leaders must concentrate on ministering the Word of God and let health workers do their job. Polio can cause permanent paralysis, and parents must understand this fact,” said Mr Kamac.

He is urging all parents not to miss this opportunity as such exercise will not come back until after 30 to 50 years later. This is the only chance we have and must not miss it.

Kamac said there is a second round of this exercise, which will include an injection as well. For this round, children are getting only a drop of the polio vaccine, OPV Type 2.