The Health Department and UNICEF launchedthe Tetanus Toxoid Campaign today.
Students fromthe St. Charles Lwanga vocational school, Gerehu Secondary and Kopkop College joinedthe health department and UNICEF for the launching this morning.
Dance groups andthe famous Watete drama group added life tothe celebration.
The target group includes all girls and women of childbeatring age- 15 to 45 year olds, and children underthe age of 5.
The most vulnerable are those living inthe most disadvantaged areas and communities.
The government and its partners hope to vaccinate over 1 million females and 750 thousand children through this campaign.
Dr. Paison Dakulala raised concerns thaPNG is amongthe 28 priority countries that is yet to reachthe elimination goal.
The disease is preventable. It will be given inthe form of immunization and vitamin A suspension for children underthe age of 5.
This vaccine will protectthe mther and her newborns for five years.
UNICEF reported sincethe initiative began in 2000the number of newborn deaths annually has dropped from 200 thousand in year 2000 to 58 thousand by 2010.
UNICEF has urged all countries to take this campaign seriously and savethe lives of our girls, mthers and children.
This six week campaign isthe third of it'’s kind and will end onthe 26th of July.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2S3vMA624f0%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
