MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 06 (PIA) --- Health service providers and workers in the entire province were briefed on the latest policies and guidelines on the implementation of the nationwide anti-measles campaign dubbed as “Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas.”
The two-day orientation on Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Strategy Activity (MRSIA) held at Mamitua Saber Research Center inside the Mindanao State University here on April 5 and 6 was spearheaded by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
Dr. Alinader Minalang, IPHO Chief said MRSIA aims to eliminate measles by 2012 and accelerate the control and prevention of German measles or rubella.
“We will be giving anti-measles shots to all children aging nine (9) months and below eight (8) years old regardless of their immunization status from April 11 to May 11,” he said.
He revealed they will be using the door-to-door strategy where health service providers and workers will visit households to reach many children as possible, unlike the old practice when these workers were stationed in health centers and will have to wait for the parents to submit their children for measles immunization.
Minalang said the province will be certified measles-free if it will meet the national standards, namely: all barangays have passed the Rapid Coverage Assessment (RCA) with no missed child and 95 percent (%) house marking accuracy and with no measles cases for the next three (3) months following the campaign.
After the MRSIA orientation, the health workers engaged in a workshop and came-up with operational plans on how they will promote, conduct, monitor and report the MRSIA drive.
One of the techniques identified is to closely coordinate and work with local officials, especially at the barangay level, community organizations, and other health stakeholders so they can help in informing the parents that vaccination teams will be conducting immunization activities at their respective areas.
Meantime, Minalang has encouraged the health workers to exert and give their best effort to reach many children as possible during the month-long massive immunization campaign.
With their commitments and the support of the 300 newly-hired nurses under the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RN HEALS) and the 50 midwives under the Midwives in Every Community in ARMM (MECA) programs of the government, Minalang is hopeful that the targets is just within reach. (Apipa Bagumbaran/PIA-10)
No comments