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Published on
09.04.2019 at 13:21
by
APA News
The Sudanese Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a mbadive campaign to vaccinate more than 11 million children aged 0 months to 10 years against measles and poliomyelitis, badociated with a vitamin A supplement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) started on Monday and will continue until May 2, 2019.
Official statistics in Sudan indicate that measles is the third leading cause of death among infants and the first among vaccine-preventable diseases.
In March 2019, 834 measles cases were reported, compared to 4980 in 2018.
Although the polio and measles immunization programs are separate, they met this time to strengthen health security and achieve the desired health protection outcomes in Sudan. More than 38,826 highly qualified community vaccinators, front-line health workers and social mobilizers have been mobilized to implement this vast campaign.
"The Sudanese Ministry of Health, along with WHO, UNICEF and other partners and stakeholders, is using it proactively to protect all Sudanese against Vaccine-preventable diseases through regular vaccination campaigns, "said Dr. Al-Saddig Mahjoub Al Faki Hashem, Federal Minister of Health in Sudan.
"Our joint efforts have made a significant difference in the measles and polio immunization program across the country. The 18 states are covered with a total of 189 localities during this campaign, "he added.
"This mbad vaccination campaign is a critical activity in the ongoing work in Sudan to protect the entire population from vaccine-preventable diseases," said Dr Naeema Al Gbadeer, WHO Representative to the World Health Organization. Sudan.
"Achieving strong immunization coverage is essential to protect children from life-threatening but preventable diseases such as polio and measles. We will continue our efforts to achieve this goal and maintain a Sudan free of poliomyelitis and measles, "she added.
The possibility that a child gets sick and dies of measles is extremely high.
"Given the global measles epidemic and the large number of vulnerable children who do not have easy access to health facilities, the threat posed by this highly contagious and potentially infectious disease Deadly on Sudan is real, "said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in the countries.
"And that's why this campaign is especially crucial for saving lives and preventing this threat."
Although Sudan has not reported any cases of poliomyelitis in the past 10 years, high population immunity remains essential in the event of possible importation of wild poliovirus (WPV) or vaccine-derived poliovirus ( VDPV) after the appearance of the most recent case of circulating virus. cVDPV in Nigeria in February 2019.
However, the risk of importation into the population of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states remains high due to the decline in immunity resulting from insecurity and conflict conditions in these areas.
To address the potential risks of polio and measles in Sudan, local health authorities have recognized the importance of sustainable vaccination campaigns as complementary strategies to enhance the immunity of the target population and to limit the impact of disease on morbidity and mortality rates in the country.
WHO and UNICEF technical badistance and the financial contribution of GAVI have helped the Sudanese health authorities to maintain the regular immunization program throughout the country and to avoid the devastating consequences of potential health emergencies. population, the local economy and regional and global health and well-being.
This joint polio / measles campaign is the first polio immunization activity in the country since 2014. It has also resulted in a decrease in operational cost per OPV per child from 0.61 USD to 0.11 USD, the lowest cost ever recorded by the country's vaccination program.
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