HEALTH related cases like pneumonia and meningitis have dropped in Malaita province in the last five years due to the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
Director of Reproductive and Child Health Division, Dr Divi Ogaoga confirmed this after a team consisting of Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) representatives, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have visited Kilu’ufi hospital, Talakali and Fauabu clinics, Tuesday.
The team including Dr Ogaoga went to:
1. See the impact of Gavi funding on communities and health facility systems;
2. Hear success stories so this can be shared with other provinces and;
3. Hear their challenges so that they can see how the national team can help them better.
Dr Ogaoga said the numbers of pneumonia cases are going down compared to 5 years ago because they vaccinated against it.
He said, the numbers of meningitis cases are going down since introduction of pentavalent vaccine.
“There are increasing number of children been vaccinated.
“From our data, we are still missing some children,” he said.
Dr Ogaoga said to protect their kids from vaccine preventable diseases parents need to bring them to the clinic.
“Church leaders and village leaders need to remind their community to bring kids for vaccination,” he added.
The team met director provincial health services, child health officers in the province and pharmacy officers.
“We observe how vaccines are stored and distributed,” he said.
In the meantime, the direct of provincial health services Dr Henry Kako appreciated the help Gavi has provided.
He said, it enables nurse to conduct outreach programs.
Further to that, the child health coordinator also expressed the same feelings.
The GAVI team is expected to visit Guadalcanal after they compete their trip in Malaita province.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
