The Isabel Province is the first province to have successfully launched its Measles Rubella MR Campaign roll out with the theme: “Protect our Children, Our Future, Through Vaccination” on 5th September 2023.
Speaking during the launch at Buala, Isabel Provincial Health Director, Dr Tony Quity said over the past 2 to 3 years Isabel Province have been put to a test with the situation of COVID-19 pandemic and have experienced what it means to have responded with very limited resources in a health care system.
“Like ours, where we can already witness for ourselves, the physical status of clinics, along with its capacity to deliver services in the midst of a pandemic. And we also appreciate that vaccination so far remains the best intervention during such situations”, said Dr Quity.
He said now after the covid-19 pandemic the MHMS with the support from the World Health Organization together with partners, are again redirecting our immunization efforts and focus on measles and rubella to remain on track with the Immunization Agenda 2030 which uses measles as a sensitive tracer of the overall strength of immunization programs around the globe.
“According to the WHO, Immunization is and still remains the foundation of the primary health care system and an indisputable human right. Which means that we have to take it real serious and get all eligible children vaccinated in order to prevent diseases before they occur and reduce the current burden on our health system. For that matter, Isabel Health Services with concerted support from the Ministry of Health and other partners and stakeholders, is committed to strengthen our healthcare services in the area of Essential Program on Immunization or vaccination programs within our province”, said Dr Quity.
He explained this mean the province have goals and targets at the provincial level for the next 5 to 10 years and they are;
Therefore, I would like to conclude by calling on all stakeholders and partners and all our communities to rally our support towards all Immunization programs or activities in our province including this measle and rubella campaign to achieve the goals or targets mentioned.
Dr Quity then call on all parents of children within the age of 6 months and 5 years to respond positively and bring their children to vaccination sites and get their vaccines to maintain and updated immunization status.
“If all the mentioned goals and targets are achieved then we can be sure that we are heading towards protecting the future of our province, not only from measles and Rubella but from other diseases other vaccines provide, which are proven to be cost-effective method and approach”, said Dr Quity.
MHMS Press