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GCC Anti-Polio Drive Cost P164,000
Thato Chwaane
Staff Writer
8/1/2004 7:33:44 PM (GMT +2)
A total grant of P164 000 from the Family Health Division and World Health Organisation was used in the Gaborone polio campaigns, preparations and training.
Public Health Specialist for Gaborone City Council, Dr Deonatus Malanguka said this at a polio evaluation meeting last week. He said they were able to immunise 16 750 (108%) children in the first round and 16 989 (109%) in the second round, exceeding their expected target. “We did our best to capture all eligible children,” he said.
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Despite the success rate, some people at the meeting stated that it was the affluent, the Bazezuru, whites and medical officers who gave them problems. One said that some children might have been missed during the campaign because some parents moved them from place to place. She said that they had a problem with some paediatricians who advised parents not to allow their children to be immunised in the second round (take the second dose). Malanguka said there were a few households who were not agreeable during the first round. But the second round gave them an opportunity to address the refusals.
He said that despite the short notice of informing officials and the Town Clerk and one week’s preparation of funds and logistics, they were able to complete the task successfully because of good leadership.
Malanguka announced that next year, they would conduct a measles vaccination campaign. He said that next time a task of the magnitude of the polio campaign comes up, they would need early information and training for health workers who might need refresher courses. He also said that there was a need for adequate time for preparations and good publicity. Malanguka said the time would give them a chance to acquire logistics and distribute supplies. “People need to be persuaded and we may not be able to convince most of them. But religious leadership in a group such as that of Bazezuru could have given us time to talk to their leaders,” he said. He added that it was very important to have community mobilisation. He said they discovered children who had never been to public health service facilities.
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