Eastern Equatoria state minister urged parents to ensure they vaccinated their children against polio to prevent paralysis and other ills.
Felix Sam Makuja made the appeal while launching a four day door-to-door polio vaccination drive in the state, Emmanuel Radio reported.Mr. Makuja said vaccination is the only means to protect children from becoming crippled by polio.
Speaking in Arabic, Mr. Makuja said it was the responsibility of parents to ensure their children grow strong and healthy by vaccinating them in time.
He added that vaccinated children can play, walk to school and do anything for development of the community.
Mr. Makuja appreciated the support of the World Health Organization and the UNICEF in ensuring that vaccination programmes continue in Southern Sudan.
Dr. Amin Gordon Okwahi Tafeng, the programme manager for Expanded Programme for Immunization in Eastern Equatoria, assured the people that the oral polio vaccine was safe and effective.