TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) – – Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama Jr. has called on stakeholders to help widen the reach of the immunization drive to save children from preventable diseases.
He pitched the call during the kick-off rites of the “World Immunization Week” organized by City Health Office (CHO) of Tagum and Davao del Norte Provincial Health Office (PHO) at the Robinsons Place Tagum.
In an interview with PIA XI Davao del Norte, he acknowledged the limitations of DOH and local government units, and other stakeholders if each sector would single handedly wage the immunization drive.
“Walang tatalo sa buong pagkilos. Gaya ng lagi kong sinasabi, if we wish to finish stronger we need to work together,” he said.
He revealed as a “struggle for us and challenge” that the nationwide overall coverage of child immunization only hit 72 percent which he cited as “low” compared to standard “herd immunity” set at 85 percent.
“Kung pwede nga 100 percent, at mailigtas ang mga bata, abutin natin yon (If possible 100 percent so we can save the children, we have to reach that),” he said.
Dr. Dumama assured the public of “ready” supplies of vaccines to wage massive immunization even beyond the World Immunization Week which is simultaneously done in the Philippines and globally.
“Sa buong Pilipinas, sa buong week na ‘to, talagang puspusan po nating ginaganap ang mga launching at hindi lang launching, pati tuloy tuloy na pag monitor ng immunization coverage,” he said.
[In the entire Philippines, the whole week, we are widely doing the launch and not only launching but continuing monitoring of the immunization coverage.]
In a separate interview, Erma Bendigo, immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Tagum Golden LACES (Ladies in Action Committed to Effective Service) shared the international commitment of the Rotary Club on child health beyond the club’s global campaign on Polio eradication.
“We are supporting the global effort to protect every child, in every community from vaccine preventable diseases,” she said.
On the other hand, Tagum Health Officer, Dr. Arnel Florendo aims to cover 95 percent of the 6,000 “immunizable” child population in Tagum City through strategically locating vaccination area at the mall, and on the last Saturdays of every month, during which he is sure that mothers can surely bring their children.
“Importante kaayo ni, kay ang immunization ang atong ginatarget ang preventable diseases: measles, diphtheria, polio… Kining mga sakita, very debilitating if not prevented, It can cause life. It can cause financial burden sa pamilya,” he said.
[This is very important. In immunization, we are targeting the preventable diseases: measles, diptheria,polio.. These diseases are debilitating if not prevented. It can cause life. It can cause financial burden to families.]
He revealed to have adopted strategies to provide ease and convenience in space and time, for mothers and guardians to bring their children for vaccination, saying times have changed as mothers are earning a living alongside their spouses. (PIA/JMDA)
