Like the DCS and DPS of the country, the prefectural health directorate (DPS) of Dubréka officially launched this Thursday, May 9, 2024, the 2024 polio vaccination campaign. Organized under the aegis of the Prefectural Director of Health, this 1er The round of national polio vaccination days in 2024 aims to protect children aged 0 to 59 months against this dreaded disease. The event held at the “Mafoudia” health center, located in the urban commune of Dubréka, was marked by the presence of the representative of the prefect, local health officials, representatives of partners and members of the community , noted Guineematin.com through one of its reporters.
Poliomyelitis, a viral disease that mainly affects children under the age of five, can cause permanent paralysis. However, thanks to the sustained efforts of the country’s health authorities, polio is on the verge of being eradicated in Guinea. In any case, the vaccination campaign launched this morning in Dubréka is part of this dynamic. In her opening speech, the prefectural health director of Dubréka underlined the importance of this campaign in preventing poliomyelitis and protecting the health of children in Dubréka. Dr Bintou Condé also invited the actors involved in this operation to demonstrate responsibility for the success of the campaign.
“Since the notification of the Poliovirus epidemic derived from the vaccine strain type 2 in July 2023, Guinea continues to record confirmed cases in the prefectures and regions of the country. To this end, in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization, the Ministry in charge of Health and Public Hygiene in collaboration with its partners is organizing the 1er round of national vaccination days against this epidemic across the entire national territory from the year 2024. This campaign concerns all children aged 0 to 59 months regardless of their vaccination status. As you know, poliomyelitis is a very contagious and debilitating disease, it can sometimes lead to death. It mainly affects children under 5 years old. In the absence of curative treatment, vaccination remains the only effective preventive measure against this disease. This is why the administration of the polio vaccine several times is necessary so that all children have lifelong protection… Faced with this situation, within the framework of this fight against poliomyelitis, significant progress has been made. been recorded in several areas: strengthening immunity in children; strengthening surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP); for the cold chain and equipment. This progress has been achieved thanks to the political commitment of the Government of the Republic with the support of technical and financial partners, our valiant health workers, especially the mobilization of civil society as well as that of our communities. However, certain challenges still need to be addressed. To be efficient, each health district must have less than 5% of unvaccinated children at the end of this campaign. It is also the only condition for declaring Guinea free of this disease during independent evaluations by international experts. I therefore take this opportunity to launch an urgent appeal to the teams at all levels of the operational implementation chain of this campaign, to demonstrate responsibility and creativity so that this 1er passage of JNV to the account of the year 2024 is a right to health for children and a duty of health workers to satisfy this right”, she underlined, before paying tribute to the president of the transition, general Mamadi Doumbouya, as well as the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr Oumar Diouhé Bah, for having made the health sector one of the government’s priorities.
By presiding over this launching ceremony this morning, Almamy Aly Camara, Secretary General in charge of decentralized communities of the prefecture, representing the prefect at the event, first of all congratulated the Prefectural Director of Health of Dubréka and her entire team for their tireless efforts in favor of the populations of Dubréka. He further invited households to give importance to this campaign.
“We carefully followed the speech of Madam DPS. I remembered a very particular passage since she was talking about children. I think that when we talk about children we are talking about the future of a country. Most of us here have children… As such, we must remain mobilized for this campaign to succeed. It is you that I would first like to congratulate the prefectural health directorate and all the other partners who are involved in this campaign for the quality of the organization… So, this campaign which begins from May 10 to 13 we must ensure that Dubréka can stand out in a good way. This is why I call on all households to pay particular attention to this campaign so that at the end of this campaign, the objectives assigned by the government are achieved,” he stressed.
In addition to protecting children against polio, this vaccination campaign will also help strengthen the prefecture’s health system, raising awareness of the importance of vaccinations and strengthening the capacities of health professionals. For WHO consultant, Dr Djenab Chérif Sow, awareness is the best way to fight this disease.
“In Dubréka precisely, two confirmed cases of Polio were recorded between 2023-2024. This campaign takes place from May 10 to 13, 2024 in the 38 health districts of the country and we are in competition. The teams will go from door to door to vaccinate children aged 0-5. The fight against poliomyelitis must be a fight for everyone in order to prevent our children from eternal handicaps. And luckily everyone has the cure for this disease, I’m talking about awareness that doesn’t require money. Let’s raise awareness around us to put an end to polio, to completely eradicate it from the world. The health of our populations in general and that of our children in particular is everyone’s concern. Together, let us mobilize so that all parents understand the importance of vaccination and that all children, including newborns, are presented to vaccinators when they visit households… WHO is committed and reiterates its commitment to supporting the Dubréka DPS in improving the health of its population,” she said.
Note that this 1er The round of this vaccination campaign will be carried out from May 10 to 13, 2024. And it will be carried out in all districts of the Dubréka prefecture, with particular attention paid to rural areas and the most marginalized communities. Mobile medical teams will travel through villages and neighborhoods to administer the vaccine and educate parents about the importance of vaccination for the health of their children.
Malick DIAKITE for Guineematin.com
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