The vice-governor of the Tshopo province, Didier Lomoyo Iteku, launched the vaccination campaign on Wednesday October 9, 2024 at the space located between the Beltexco company and Rawbank, in the commune of Makiso, not far from the market central Kisangani.
Speaking on behalf of technical and financial partners, Doctor Mukuta Juvénal of WHO Kisangani declared: “The situation still remains alarming in Tshopo despite several vaccination campaigns organized in this province. The polio epidemic began in the DRC on May 8, 2017 and continues to this day. » Doctor Mukuta Juvénal continued: “In 2023, the Tshopo province recorded 13 cases of variant poliovirus confirmed in the health zones of Basali, Basoko, Lowa, Yahuma, Banalia and Yalimbongo. This year, 5 cases of poliomyelitis are confirmed in Tshopo, including 1 case in the Tshopo health zone, 2 cases in the Yaleko health zone in the Opala territory, and 2 other cases in the health zone of Lowa in the territory of Ubundu. This polio vaccination campaign covers all provinces of the country, including Tshopo. »
The presence of three types of variant virus makes Tshopo one of the priority provinces in the fight against poliomyelitis. Technical and financial partners call on parents to vaccinate their children in order to provide them with solid protection against poliomyelitis, a disease that can leave children disabled for their entire lives, said the representative of the technical and financial partners.
In the Tshopo province, 842,426 children are expected to be vaccinated. In his remarks, the vice-governor of the province, Didier Lomoyo, stressed: “Vaccination is a priority action for the provincial government of Tshopo. The consequences of polio are harmful to the health of our children. We are calling on parents and caregivers to make it easier for vaccinators. This time, the provincial government wants all children to be vaccinated against polio. »
Note that this campaign constitutes the 3rd phase of vaccination against poliomyelitis organized in this province. Started on the 10th, the campaign ends on October 12, 2024. According to the provincial health division, the repetition of vaccination in Tshopo is justified by the negligence of parents and the convictions of certain churches, which prevent optimal vaccination coverage in this province.
Kisangani, Gabriel Makabu
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