Free bed nets boost measles, polio campaign in Sekyere West

Mampong (Ash), Nov. 2, GNA - The inclusion of free bed nets in the package of this year's national measles and polio immunization exercise did the trick of boosting patronage of the exercise in the Sekyere West District of Ashanti.

Caregivers of children under two years, who had the message, rushed to vaccination points in Mampong, Nsuta and Kwamang townships with the hope that they would receive free bed nets after vaccinating their children.

As a result, at about 10 hours on the first day of the exercise (Wednesday) most of the vaccination points had run out of bed net supplies and some caregivers waited patiently for more supplies from the sub-districts.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the Acting District Director of Health Services, Madam Rebecca Dakurugu said the high turnout on the first day of the exercise was an indication that education on the exercise has gone down well.

She said in view of the limited number of bed nets provided for the exercise, they would be distributed evenly throughout the five-day exercise, but strictly on 93first comes, first served=94 basis. Madam Dakurugu advised the health personnel involved in the exercise to observe proper handlings of syringes, vaccines, diluents and vitamin A capsules.

On his part, Dr Emmanuel Ahiable, a supervisor of the exercise advised the health workers to use the campaign period to remind caregivers and mothers that routine immunization was necessary for their children.