By BRADLEY MARIORI
Routine immunization for children continues in Buang, Bulolo this week, targeting babies under the age of one year to five years old.
Community health worker Anil Katapsa, during a routine immunization patrol in Muniau village confirmed that the immunization drive will continue for the next ten days.
Katapsa said a similar patrol was carried out last month alongside the Polio vaccination rollout.
“We are continuing this patrol because most mothers get caught up in their daily household chores and gardening routines and sometimes forget to take their children to the nearest community health post for checks and immunization,” Katapsa said.
He confirmed also that in this current patrol they will complete immunization for babies as well as administer vitamin doses.
He added during the patrol, the teams will be assisting pregnant women by offering antenatal check and medications at the convenience of the women.
“Few women make the half a day trip to the sub health center for checkup but many are too lazy, so whenever we get the support from the district to carry out such patrols, we also make sure we give awareness after or before we conduct the checks,” he said.
Katapsa added these checks were routine to make sure the entire journey through pregnancy is safe for both the mother and the baby.
He also commented that at least two ward areas in Buang are currently experiencing a population boom. This is according to their last health patrol where the teams tallied more babies and pregnant women compared to the other 18 ward areas.
Katapse further stated that, during the patrol the health workers within the local level government area have split into at least four teams of two and are visiting each ward area.
It is understood that the Bulolo Development Authority through the district health services have provided the vaccines and other medications as well as logistical support to make this patrol a success.
