The Government of South Sudan through the support of a number of partners launched today the third countrywide polio immunization campaign for all children below five years at Kimu Health Centre in Gudele, Juba.
Health Minister Michael Milly Hussein said the new polio campaign responds to President Kiir’s pledge to better health during the first 100 days after appointing his new cabinet.The exercise is expected to cover more than three million children.
He added that he was going to request a day off for mothers in order for them to stay home and make sure their infants are vaccinated.
World Health Programme head of office in South Sudan Abdi Aden Mohammed said the previous outbreaks in Angola that later spilled to neighbouring DR Congo pose a threat to South Sudan.
He added that the last case of polio was registered on June 27, 2009, in Eastern Aweil.
UNICEF said in a statement that reaching the most remote areas in South Sudan is a big challenge.
The agency called on political, community, traditional and religious leaders to support the polio campaign and mobilise communities to participate.
The vaccination campaign starts on Tuesday, November 8, and concludes on Friday, November 11.