652,000 children to be immunised against polio in Western Region

Sekondi, Oct.14, GNA - Dr. Linda Vanotoo, Acting Director of Public Health in the Western Region on Friday said there had not been any reported case of poliomyelitis in Ghana since September 2003, an indication that the disease was gradually being kicked out of the country.

She said however, in spite of the significant progress the country was still at risk because many of its neighbours were poliomyelitis endemic areas.

Dr. Vanotoo made the observation when briefing the media on the second phase of this year's National Immunization Days in the Western Region at Sekondi.

The first round of immunisation in the region is scheduled for November 11-13 and the second round from December 9-11. About 652,000 children between zero and five years are expected to be immunized during the period.

Polio immunization coverage in the region at the end of August was about 60 per cent Dr Vanotoo said, this was achieved through the committed efforts of volunteers, sponsors of the programmes and the media. She said to achieve more successes a committee to plan, organise and implement the national immunization days had been formed to ensure effective collaboration with key partners in the programme. Dr Vanotoo urged media practitioners to give enough attention and solicit public support for polio immunization programmes.

She appealed to the media, volunteers, parents, Churches, educational institutions and other stakeholders to continue to support the programme to ensure complete eradication of the disease from the sub-region.