By Morlai Sesay
In a bid to prevent the spread of the Polio virus in the country, the Director of Public Health Agency (DPHA), Professor Sahr Foday, has in a News conference updated pressmen that the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health, together with the World Health Organization and other partners, is committed to vaccinating polio-affected communities in Sierra Leone.
The aforementioned announcement came after health authorities in Sierra Leone discovered that a type two polio virus was detected in a sewage system in Mabela following confirmation of a human case of type three Polio virus in the Kambia District.
According to the Director of the Public Health Agency, the move to contain this virus depends on the preparedness of Sierra Leoneans as a nation, stressing that the government has spent a lot of resources to strengthen the health infrastructure to respond effectively to public health emergencies. A typical example is the establishment of the National Public Health Agency and the continuous strengthening of disease surveillance that captures events in real time. He stated that the NPHA had developed a clear protocol that would guide a coordinated response with defined roles and responsibilities for its stakeholders.
According to the director, the Ministry of Health is actively working with neighboring nations on cross-border surveillance and public education regarding polio and vaccination in response to this development. To stop the virus from spreading further, he emphasized the need for a strong response strategy that would be put into action. Health authorities are urging parents and other carers of children under five to make sure their children receive recommended vaccinations, such as the polio vaccine, on time.
Sahr Foday pointed out that the Government of Sierra Leone had demonstrated a solid commitment to the fight against polio, with the Ministry of Health providing strategic leadership in organizing national and subnational polio vaccination campaigns. To guarantee widespread vaccination coverage, he noted that these initiatives had received backing from development partners and had been coordinated with those of other nations.
He implored all Sierra Leoneans to note, "It is critical that the public follow vaccination recommendations and support initiatives to stop the disease’s spread as the nation attempts to contain the polio virus derived from vaccines. Through maintaining knowledge, adhering to immunization protocols, and raising community consciousness, Sierra Leone can sustain its advancement in safeguarding the health and welfare of its populace".
Comments