Immunization programme for kids launched
The Bougainville Department of Health in partnership with the Diocese of Bougainville, Catholic Health Services and PNG National Department of Health launched the Accelerated Immunization Health System Strengthening (AIHSS) programme today at the Bel Isi park, Buka.
The Accelerated Immunization Health System Strengthening (AIHSS) programme has the funding support of the three governments, PNG, Australia and New Zealand governments and with technical support from GAVI, World Health Organization and UNICEF. AIHSS is currently rolling out its programme in twelve provinces including Bougainville.
Immunization in Bougainville became a very important programme in 2019 when the campaign for measles vaccine was launched and a proposal from the health department was submitted to the government for a continuation of an immunization programme for kids especially. This was to increase the immunization coverage of children to at least 80% and to prevent any future vaccine preventable diseases.
Key note speaker Vice President Hon. Patrick Nisira was pleased with the programme.
“As we launch this important programme today I would like to inform the people of Bougainville that Bougainville Health Department with support from partners has delivered successful immunization campaigns back in 2019 and in October 2020.”
“To date we did not reported any confirmed cases of Polio or measles in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville or more recently any COVID-19 cases where across the world millions are affected and have died due to no treatment and no vaccine,” Mr Nisira said.
“PNG is reporting an increase cases with 853 cases so far but we in Bougainville have maintained strong preventive measures by monitoring entry points and that passengers are cleared from COVID-19 before entering Bougainville. As a result our people today continue to conduct their normal businesses in a COVID free environment,” he said.
Mr Nisira said that: “From all the provinces in Papua New Guinea, Bougainville was able to contain the spread of COVID-19 except for one case that occurred but the Health Department imposed measures to address the spread of COVID-19 and this, the people of Bougainville, that was an effort of the government and health department with the support of partners that resulted in this virus not spreading in the region.”
Mr Nisira acknowledged the Bougainville SOE Controller with the Health Department for being very pro-active in stopping the spread of the COVID-19 when the first case was reported and acknowledged their excellent service during this pandemic.
Mr Nisira said that the Department of Health will not stop in delivering their programme for immunization but will continue on with the roll out of the Accelerated Immunization Health System Strengthening (AIHSS) programme which was launched today and withnessed by the key stakeholders.
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