In collaboration with UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) a one week ‘Mami en pikin welbodi; campaign  kicked off on 20th November 2009 in Kailahun and other districts nationwide.

In his statement, the Kailahun District Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Moses revealed that the ‘Mami en pikin welbodi’ campaign is aimed at reaching all women and children, adding that the excercise will also serve as an opportunity for parents and children to track their missing children. He went on to say that the campaign is also focused on complementing the facility-based health service delivery for children and mothers.

He pointed out that the Polio vaccination campaign is to stop the spread of the Polio virus in the country. He further stated however, that children who have been vaccinated against Polio whether in Kailahun or in other regions in country should be re-vaccinated to ensure they are protected against the virus.

Dr Moses noted that during the campaign they will be administering Vitamin A Capsules, Worm medicine (Albendazole), Measles vaccine, Polio vaccine and Yellow Fever vaccine in all the five districts across the country. He called on mothers to take their children for vaccination as it is very important. He added that he feels very happy to know that the survey was successful.

“As a new District Medical Officer in Kailahun from the Diaspora , I will make sure I transform the district to a safe haven for everybody”, he told Awareness Times.

The erudite medico commended the District Health Management Team for their support, hard work, and courage to ensure they would successfully complete the vaccination exercises all over the district.

According to the Project Officer HIV/AIDS, Mr. Edmond K Mathew, Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito, which causes yellowing of the skin and eyes, stomach and kidney problems and that half of those with such complications die. He advised therefore that mothers should take their children for the vaccination to prevent them from getting the virus, adding that bringing the service to the doorstep of the people, is not to encourage them not to take their children to the hospital if they fall ill.

He pointed out that the benefit of the integrated package can be only realized if children receive Vitamin A and are de-wormed every six months and have their growth monitored regularly and are immunized according to schedule.

Speaking also was the Assistant Statistician of Statistics Sierra Leone, Mr. Amadu Amara. He revealed that their business in the survey is to monitor and evaluate the work of the District Health Management Team and to assess how far they cover the districts, adding that upon their statistical random selection, they discovered that 50% of the district scored 47% which according to them is a success for the team.