<
https://www.afro.who.int/news/kenya-uganda-cross-border-polio-vaccination-reaches-65-million-children>
"Nairobi/Kampala – Between October 3 and 6, 2024, more than 6.5 million
children were vaccinated in a successful synchronized polio campaign between
Kenya and Uganda. This cross-border achievement began with a coordinated launch
in Bungoma District, Kenya, and Mbale District, Uganda.
Both countries have set an exemplary standard in their recent synchronized
polio vaccination campaign conducted this week, which focused on high-risk
cross-border regions. By conducting these campaigns on the same dates, sharing
real-time information, both countries ensured that children under five in these
vulnerable areas were reached effectively, reducing the chance of cross-border
virus transmission. This joint effort is the result of recent detections in
Kenya (with 6 polioviruses in 2024 alone) and Uganda (with 1 virus reported
this year through environmental surveillance) and it reflects the broader
principle that no child should be left unprotected simply because they live
near an international boundary.
“Our health workers will vaccinate every child against polio door-to-door.
Vaccination has eradicated many diseases in Uganda. We thank all our partners
for their support in ensuring a polio-free future. Protect your children from
paralysis & vaccinate today”. Said Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of
Public Health in the Ministry of Health of Uganda.
Health authorities have therefore put in place common strategies not only at
national levels in Kenya and Uganda, but also regionally, with particular focus
on all the 10 districts bordering both countries, covering a total of 772
kilometers.
“The virus is spreading fast in the East African region putting our children –
particularly aged 5 years or below at the risk of contracting this incurable
yet vaccine-preventable disease” – affirmed Dr. Charles Njuguna, the World
Health Organization (WHO) country representative in Uganda.
This entailed putting in place micro plans: mapping the cross-border
communities, migratory routes, cross-border entry/exit points, and transit
routes for each of the cross-border facilities.
“The Current Polio outbreak in Eastern Africa is fueled by heavy movement of
high-risk populations between countries. The decision by the Governments of
Kenya and Uganda to conduct two synchronized in October 2-6 and November 6-10
is a laudable effort support by the GPEI partnership”. – confirmed the Global
Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator in Kenya, Charles Korir."
Via
Fix the News:
https://fixthenews.com/276-regenerative-city/
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
