BY JOACKIM KULE
The Ministry of Health under its Integrated Child Health Days Programme will this month carryout another round of immunization against infections that affect children and adults.
The programme which is designated by the Ministry is always implemented in the months of April and October every year. It is aimed at heightening interventions that are geared towards improving child health and survival.
During the programme implementation, children aged six months to five years will be given Vitamin A to improve their immunity while those aged one to 14 years will be de-warmed in order to remove intestinal warms from their stomachs. Girls aged 10 will also be immunized against cervical cancer.
The exercise will also see adults aged 60 and below vaccinated against yellow fever and hepatitis among others.
Mr. Stephen Bagonza, the acting Kasese District Health Officer made the revelation today morning while addressing Town Clerks, Sub-county and Parish Chiefs, Health Assistants and In-charges of Health Facilities at the District Multipurpose hall in Kasese town.
The meeting was held purposely to create awareness among the said categories of leaders so that they can disseminate the message to the local population. Mr. Bagonza told the participants that all the services would be offered to the population at a zero cost.
He subsequently implored the leaders to sensitize the community members about the programme, adding that all the medical supplies to be used during the exercise have been delivered to the health facilities across the district.
The District Health Boss also stressed that the immunization services would be extended to schools and other institutions of learning.
In his remarks, Mr. Mustafa Kikusa, the Principal Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer who chaired the meeting, encouraged the Accounting Officers to be committed to their work and also ensure that the exercise ends successfully.
The Kasese District Chairperson, Mr. Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi who opened the meeting, urged the leaders to break the misconceptions and myths about immunization from the community members.
According to him, a section of community members has been boycotting some health programmes due to lack of sufficient information regarding their importance.
ENDS