Widen Measles Drive
Oct 01, 2003
A NEW round of immunisation against measles is due to commence countrywide, with 15 million vaccinations.
Widen measles drive
A NEW round of immunisation against measles is due to commence countrywide, with 15 million vaccinations. Measles cases have been on the rise. Last year, the coverage was 85%, which means the remaining 15% of children could potentially catch the disease. In fact, 28 districts reported outbreaks, affecting over 50,000 children.
Logistical problems are partly to blame, but the main culprit has been misguided interest groups and individuals, of varied levels of influence, that have campaigned against vaccination. To counter them, and to make farther inroads in the population, we need to go well beyond the traditional radio programme and roadside poster.
Uganda’s relative success in fighting HIV/AIDS has been due to a participatory approach. Civic leaders, politicians and schools have carried the gospel of behavioral change. Measles and polio, too, would benefit if the LC meeting,
the church service and the mosque, together with the classroom and the political rally rallied to immunisation. Experience has shown that people listen to community leaders more readily than health workers.
Well done, KCC
KAMPALA’S mayor has directed that Victor Hill Secondary School remain closed till it meets required standards. A student population of 500 is on half an acre of land, with poor sanitation. The dormitories are tiny, the classrooms and toilets are poorly built. There are many more such schools not only in Kampala, but in all major towns. They should never have been licensed in the first instance, but that should not stop KCC and other urban authorities from being vigilant.
Ends
A NEW round of immunisation against measles is due to commence countrywide, with 15 million vaccinations. Measles cases have been on the rise. Last year, the coverage was 85%, which means the remaining 15% of children could potentially catch the disease. In fact, 28 districts reported outbreaks, affecting over 50,000 children.
Logistical problems are partly to blame, but the main culprit has been misguided interest groups and individuals, of varied levels of influence, that have campaigned against vaccination. To counter them, and to make farther inroads in the population, we need to go well beyond the traditional radio programme and roadside poster.
Uganda’s relative success in fighting HIV/AIDS has been due to a participatory approach. Civic leaders, politicians and schools have carried the gospel of behavioral change. Measles and polio, too, would benefit if the LC meeting,
the church service and the mosque, together with the classroom and the political rally rallied to immunisation. Experience has shown that people listen to community leaders more readily than health workers.
Well done, KCC
KAMPALA’S mayor has directed that Victor Hill Secondary School remain closed till it meets required standards. A student population of 500 is on half an acre of land, with poor sanitation. The dormitories are tiny, the classrooms and toilets are poorly built. There are many more such schools not only in Kampala, but in all major towns. They should never have been licensed in the first instance, but that should not stop KCC and other urban authorities from being vigilant.
Ends