Flere end 33 millioner børn vil i februar blive vaccineret mod mæslinger i Bangladesh, oplyser embedsmænd torsdag ifølge DR Online.
Der er tale om verdens største vaccinationskampagne mod mæslinger.
Mæslinger dræber hvert år ca. 20.000 børn i det fattige land i Sydasien, der har omkring 140 millioner indbyggere. Planen er at udrydde mæslinger i landet en gang for alle, siger en embedsmand for sundhedsministeriet.
Myndighederne vil oprette vaccinationscentre i flere end 260.000 skoler, hospitaler og andre offentlige bygninger. Kampagnen finansieres af FNs Børnefond (UNICEF).
Mæslinger dræber hvert år omkring en halv million mennesker på verdensplan.
Fra UNICEFs website, www.unicef.org
Public information plays key role in Bangladesh measles campaign
SARIAKANDI, Bangladesh, 22 Sept. 2005: This sleepy outback community by the banks of the Brahmaputra River is located about 200 km from the national capital, Dhaka. Sariakandis people are accustomed to dealing with problems: erosion, floods, poverty and unemployment. One problem, however, is now far less serious than it ever was: child mortality due to disease.
The reason is simple. The mothers of Sariakandi are well-informed and highly motivated. Nearly all of them have their children immunized on a regular basis. This month they are bringing their children for measles immunization, as Bangladeshs first-ever national campaign against the disease is now underway.
Mosammat Molly, 19, is one of Sariakandis mothers. Her daughter, Jannatul Firdausi, is 10 months old and will be immunized in the campaign. – You will not find a single mother in Sariakandi who does not know the why, how and when to immunize a child, said Mosammat Molly with apparent pride.
When asked where this knowledge is coming from, she replied: – First, the Family Welfare Volunteer informed me about this a week ago. Then, my husband told me about this. He heard it from a public address announcement. Later on, I also heard microphone horns blaring the message.
– Nothing travels faster and stronger than word of mouth, said Dr. Sudhir Chandra Banik, an office with the local Health Centre, adding: – It is the most effective method of communication too, especially when it comes to health communication, and more so, if it is in Bangladesh.
– Our staff and volunteers discussed with parents the impact of the measles vaccine on the child and dispelled their fear of any adverse effect. We also told people that those who had been given the measles vaccine earlier should take the second dose during the campaign.
The three-week campaign, which began on 3 September, aims to reach 1,5 million children under the age of ten.
The next phase, in 2006, aims to reach 33,5 million children – making it one of the largest measles immunization campaigns in the world (se ovenfor).
UNICEF has been working with the Bangladesh government on the campaign, by helping disseminate information through print and broadcast media, through the timely procurement and supply of vaccines, and by assisting with monitoring and logistics.
– I am sure we will be able to rid the country of measles in the next few years if the present campaign and the one we plan to launch next year can be led to a successful conclusion, said UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh (danskeren) Morten Giersing.
– Bangladesh has many success stories in saving childrens lives and giving them primary education. The measles campaign will add another positive contribution to those stories, he added.
