About 77,000children in Chipata district in Eastern province are expected to be vaccinated against measles while 73,000 others will be given vitamin A supplements in the ongoing nationwide measles vaccination programme.
Chipata district health director Dr. Manasseh Zulu told ZANIS in an interview today
that 73,392 children will be given de-worming tablets during the exercise.
Dr. Zulu was confident that her department will meet the 95 percent target as
required by each district because the response from the general public was
overwhelming.
”With the help of social mobilization by ZANIS, neighbourhood health committees,
church leaders and other stakeholders, we have been able to inform people to take
their children to the nearest health post for immunization,” Dr. Zulu said.
She added that the department has put up additional centres at schools and other
public places to take the immunization services closer to the people.
Dr Zulu revealed that private clinics in the district like Motala, Kawale and
Chipata health centres have also partnered with the health department in offering
their premises as immunization centres.
Dr. Zulu said although transport and funds were inadequate, the district was
determined to reach its target.
”The stakeholders in the district have done a good job because some like Care
International and District Aids Taskforce have provided us with fuel and transport
but we will appreciate if others also came forward to assist with transport because
we have a shortfall,” she said.
Dr. Zulu has since urged parents and guardians who have not yet taken their children
for vaccination to urgently do so.
She said mosquito nets were also being treated at no charge.
And a spot check at some centres in the peri urban areas of Chipata by ZANIS found
long queues of parents waiting to have their children vaccinated.ZANIS    ÂÂ
