The Sudanese Ministry of Health has launched a national campaign to combat polio, targeting 829,000 children across the country. The campaign, which was launched in the Khartoum state, aims to immunize children against the debilitating disease. The ministry has partnered with international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, to support the initiative. The campaign's slogan, "By vaccinating, we protect them before polio strikes," reflects the government's commitment to eradicating the disease.
The campaign was launched in the presence of representatives from the WHO and UNICEF, who have pledged their support to the initiative. Dr. Jawaher Mohamed Abd al-Rahman, Director-General of the Ministry of Health's Public Health Department, emphasized the ministry's commitment to reaching all targeted children, including those in remote areas and internally displaced persons. She stressed that no child should be denied vaccination and highlighted the importance of cooperation with international partners.
The campaign aims to address the resurgence of polio in Sudan, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the country. The disease has been reported in several states, prompting concerns about the risk of further spread. The Ministry of Health has warned of the dangers of polio, emphasizing the need for swift action to contain the outbreak. The government has also called on citizens to cooperate with vaccination teams to ensure that all targeted children are reached.
The launch of the campaign has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring the country's healthcare system, which has been severely impacted by the conflict. Abd al-Mun'im Bashir, Executive Director of the Khartoum Locality, praised the efforts of the Wali of Khartoum and the Minister of Health in restoring healthcare services. He appealed to families to cooperate with vaccination teams to ensure that all children are protected against polio.
The WHO representative in Sudan, Dr. Fath al-Rahman Abd al-Ghani, described the vaccination program as a "giant that has risen from the rubble," referring to the challenges faced by the healthcare system during the conflict. He emphasized the importance of vaccination and encouraged parents to have their children immunized. Dr. al-Ghani also stressed that vaccination during the campaign does not replace routine immunization.
UNICEF representative, Dr. Sahar, emphasized the need to reach all children through a door-to-door vaccination strategy. She praised the efforts of the Ministry of Health and partners in implementing the campaign. The campaign has been endorsed by education officials, who recognize the importance of coordination between healthcare and education institutions in protecting children from polio.
The campaign's success will depend on the cooperation of families and communities, who are urged to support vaccination teams in their efforts to reach all targeted children. The Ministry of Health has announced that all necessary preparations have been completed, with 829,000 children set to be vaccinated across the country. The government has expressed its commitment to eradicating polio and protecting the health and well-being of Sudanese children.
Key points
- The Sudanese government has launched a nationwide campaign to vaccinate 829,000 children against polio.
