Arrangements Complete to Launch the National Measles – Rubella Vaccination Campaign
Report by:Haffiya Elyas
The Federal Ministry of Health and international organizations announced the completion of all arrangements for the launching of the national campaign of measles – rubella vaccine from Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th January, in 7 States as a first round , in the Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, Northern, Nile River, White Nile, in addition to the region. Blue Nile, distributed among 63 localities, targeting children in the age group from 9 months to 15 years, with the participation of more than 5 thousand trained personnel, through strategies (fixed, temporary and mobile centers).
The Acting Minister of Health , Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, said in a press conference today at the Coral Hotel in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan to announce the campaign, that the is being launching despite the difficult circumstances in Sudan is as a result of theon going war and its greatest impact on children and their health.
The Minister considered the introduction of the measles and rubella vaccine a huge professional breakthrough in the process of vaccination .
Dr. Haitham stressed that all measures have been taken to make the campaign a success . Noting that it will not be the end, but will be followed by the inclusion of the vaccine within routine vaccination, indicating that the arrangements for the rest of the states differ from the first round through migration and alternative plans, each according to the status of the state concerned with coordination.
The Minister appealed to the various media outlets to play their role in enlightening the campaign and the seriousness of the disease, said, “Be supportive of the campaign, as we promised you, with a professional message for the benefit of children and their health, and not destructive.”
The representative of the World Health Organization, Dr. Mishal Tawfiq, stressed the need to include the vaccine within the routine vaccination of target groups in addition to raising awareness of its importance, noting the provision of the vaccine in partnership with UNICEF, WHO and GAVI , and cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Health after extensive consultations and decisions for vaccination in 7 states, while investigating the possibility of reaching the rest of the states.
UNICEF representative Madib Albrien revealed that the war that has been ongoing since mid-April has led to the displacement of more than 3 million boys and girls, the withdrawal of many health facilities from service, the loss of a number of staff, which has contributed to children not receiving health care and the emergence of diseases such as cholera. Declaring commitment to partners to continue working within the on going war.
Albrien said that the campaign targeted 5 million boys and girls in the age groups from 9 months to 15 years, pointing out that 21.5 million doses of the vaccine have been provided.
Director of the Sudan Vaccine Program (GAVI), Anne Konan, pointed out the importance of the campaign to preserve the lives of children, especially after the repercussions of the war, praising the Federal Ministry of Health for introducing the vaccine.
Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization at the Ministry of Health , Ismail Al-Adani, stressed the seriousness of German measles and its cause of birth defects in newborns and suffering among mothers. This is why the decision to introduce the disease came after reviewing and coming up with indicators in coordination with World Health and UNICEF, praising all the supporters and partners.