NTUNGAMO LEADERS, LIONS CLUB PUT UP FIGHT AGAINST MEASLES, POLIO

By Felix Twinomugisha

www.mknewslink.com

In Ntungamo

The Ntungamo District in conjunction with Lions club has embarked on door to door sensitization on Measles- Rubella and Oral polio vaccination with hopes of attaining 100% in the forth coming National immunization exercise.

During the first Ntungamo District coordination meeting for October 2019 National Measles- Rubella and Oral polio vaccination campaign held in the district council hall today, the RDC George Bakunda asked all stakeholders to intensify awareness and crusades if the exercise is to be achieved in the District.

Bakunda warned to arrest the leaders and followers of mushrooming cults in sub counties of Kataraka in Nyakyeera, Rweikiniro, Ruhaama, Kibatsi and Rwamabondo who are against the polio campaign.

He argued public to cooperate with village chairpersons, village health teams and schools managers to identify the missing gaps such that it can rectify in order to have a successful Measles campaign.

In August 2017, police in Ntungamo arrested four people belonged to Engiri and other cults for allegedly hide their children against immunization outreach saying that Jesus Christ did not use any medicine but only prayer.

The parliamentary committee member on Health who is also woman MP Ntungamo District Hon. Beatrice Rwakimaari challenged people not to sabotage government health programs especially immunization of children under 5 years in the district.

Hon Rwakimaari appealed to all parents and guardians to take their children for measles- Rubella and polio campaign to their health.

The Ministry of health has planned to conduct a 5day national wide Measles-Rubella (Kigutiya) and oral vaccination campaign targeting children from birth to under 15 years.

All children under five years will be receiving oral polio vaccine while those between nine months and 15 years will receive Measles-Rubella vaccine.

The campaign is scheduled for Wednesday 16^th to Sunday 20^th October 2019 in all districts.