Nursing mothers patronise immunisation exercise in Sunyani

Sunyani, Nov. 02, GNA - Nursing mothers within Sunyani Municipality on Wednesday thronged the various centres to immunise their children from zero to five years when the nation-wide National Immunisation Programme began.

Some of them abandoned their work and wares at the market to ensure their children were immunised against poliomyelitis, measles received Vitamin A Supplement and the free insecticide treated mosquito bed nets. Madam Yaa Anyonam, mother and a trader told the Ghanan News Agency (GNA) at "area one centre" that the welfare of her child was paramount than the money she would make during the day and therefore, had to immunise her child before going to the market. Madam Diana Kyeiwaa, a nurse at the centre said they had immunised 147 children by mid-day and all children under two years were given free bed nets.

She said some mothers were at the centre as early as 6.30 am to form a queue before the medical team arrived to begin the exercise. Madam Kyeiwaa said the centre had not encountered any problem since mothers whose children were above five years went away quietly after issues had been explained to them that they could not be given the bed nets.

She commended the mothers for showing great concern about their children's health and urged those who had not immunised their children to participate in the exercise and not keep their children at home. Madam Kyeiwaa advised mothers who received the bed nets to allow their children to sleep under them to avoid mosquito bites.

Mrs Martha Larbi Agyemfra, Acting Municipal Director of Health Services disclosed that 1,500 infants had been immunised as at 3:20 pm at the various centres within Sunyani Township. She said 590 of them were given treated bed nets.