The caretaker governor of Lakes State, Gen. Rin Tueny, UNICEF, WHO, and other health partners launched a polio immunization campaign targeting 367,774 children under the theme “Reaching every child, no child left unvaccinated” in Matangai Payam, Rumbek Central County on Monday.
The governor said the vaccine is vital in preventing polio, which leaves victims paralyzed.
“We want to raise awareness in the community. When a children are born, they have to be taken hospital to receive vaccines or medicines that can prevent the child from getting diseases and to survive for the future,” he said. “A child is good for everyone, and that is why I had to come to inform you that this vaccine has to be delivered to all children in Lakes State, and it has started from Awerial, and now we are in Matangai Payam, Rumbek Central County. Every child under five years of age has to be brought to the hospital to receive the polio vaccine.”
Governor Tueny urged the youth to stop senseless violence and killings.
“Our youths in the remote villages have refused to survive, and they are killing themselves. On 8 and 9 October, there was fighting here in Matangai Payam, and I want this inter-communal fighting to stop. The people who are killing themselves are Agar. Let this fighting stop to allow an investigation into what was the cause of the fighting,” he said. “I served for four years, and I was changed. I have been away for nine months, but now I have been appointed again. So, I have come back, and I want peace; we do not want people to kill themselves. There will be law, and no one will kill one another.’
He thanked health partners headed by UNICEF for rolling out the vaccination campaign and other health interventions.
Dr. Juma Santino Deng, the EPI manager in the State health ministry, said that, together with the national health ministry, they are working to ensure better and more efficient polio vaccination across the State.
“This polio vaccination campaign is targeting around 367,774 children in the age group of zero to 59 months of age. We have managed to train 2,000 personnel across the state, and these are the people who are going to conduct an efficient polio vaccination campaign,” he said. “Each team will target 250 children per day. I want our caregivers and mothers to please bring children for vaccination. The vaccine is safe, and it is healthy for your children and will save them from the polio virus.’
Rebecca Laat Muorwel, a mother in Matangai Payam, said that the polio vaccination makes children healthier and advised all mothers to take their children for vaccination.
“Our children are better, and they have no complicated infections,” she said. “Our Payam primary health care unit is also working well, and when a child contracts malaria or any infection, we take them to the health center, and they are treated well and recover quickly.”
For his part, Okot Morris, UNICEF representative in Rumbek, lauded the government, health workers, partners, community leaders and all the stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to protecting children.
“Reaching every eligible child with polio vaccine is an urgent priority. I would like to commend our frontline workers and vaccinators who have been tirelessly working under difficult conditions to deliver life-saving vaccines to the communities,” he said. “Your dedication to saving lives and safeguarding the future of our nation is commendable.”
“To parents and caregivers, I ask you to ensure that all children under five years of age receive the polio vaccine during this campaign,” he added.
Okot said the vaccine is safe, effective, and free of charge.
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