Lodwar, April 24, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Executive for Health and Sanitation, Dr Francis Mariao has assured residents of Turkana and partners that the Turkana County Government has developed a strategic and workable plan geared towards increasing the uptake of vaccines to a target of 85% for the current year.
Dr Mariao was speaking during the commemoration of the World Immunisation Week in Kanamkemer Sub-County Hospital which begins on April 24, 2024 and ends on April 30, 2024. He stressed that the county’s immunisation levels are currently at 69% way below the national average of 80%.
Acknowledging this year’s theme, EPI@50: Humanly possible, vaccines save lives, CECM said, “while commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, the plans to increase the vaccines uptake in Turkana are and not limited to; integrated surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases banking on one health approach (locally known as Kimormor), considering the health of both humans, animals and the environment”.
Additionally, he said, there is a deliberate effort to improve on the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine coverage across the County. However, CECM Mariao noted that despite schools being closed, his team would focus on those due for HPV2, targeting youth centres.
He went on to say, in the plan, there is targeted immunisation of children who have defaulted on routine childhood vaccines using the January-March 2024 data, riding on the Community Health Services and any other ongoing outreaches. This targeted immunisation activities, County Executive informed, will be done through special clinics (MOPC, CCC, renal, cancer) for at-risk populations such as PCV for cancer and dialysis patients, HPV for 10–14-year-old at Comprehensive Care Clinic, and C-19 for diabetic patients.
While recognizing the support of the partners in the event, Dr Mariao called on partners and other stakeholders in the health sector working group to jointly address the existing gaps and fully strengthen the immunisation Program.
During the commemoration, a total number of 35 doses were administered comprising of; BCG (4), OPV (3), DPT (3), PCV (3), Y/F (6), MRI (6), MRII (8), TD (2) and FIC (5).
In the same breath, the UNICEF’s Health Officer, Lodwar Zonal Office, Stella Kogo mentioned UNICEF has worked closely with the government to improve the cold stain capacity in Turkana County, ensuring the vaccines remain safe and effective from manufacture to administration.
According to Kogo, UNICEF has supported government in vaccine management, including procurement, distribution, and stock management.
She also called on other partners and government agencies stating, “Let’s reaffirm our commitment to equitable access to vaccines for all children in Turkana County, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic background”.
In so doing, the Health Officer said, it is possible to create a world, where no child is left behind and where vaccines are not just a privilege, but a fundamental right.
The county officials present in the event included; Dr Ekiru Kidalio (Director Medical Services), Alfred Emaniman (Director Public Health Services), Gabriel Lopodo (Deputy Director, Family Heath), Daniel Erus (County EPI Coordinator), Jacob Nakuleu (County Child Health Coordinator), Nancy Birech (Deputy County Health Promotion Coordinator), Dr Mercy Kawira (Medical Officer of Health Turkana Central), Jane Atabo (Sub-county Public Health Nurse), and John Ng’asike (Sub-county Supretendant and In-charge) among others.
The representatives of the partners who supported the event and were present were; Joseph N’gikeny (USAID Imarisha Jamii), Isaac Kiroso (IRC), Abdirizak Abaas, Merab Apondi (WVK), Lucia Epur (PanAfricare), Sr. Doris Mulongo (Diocese of Lodwar), Benedictus Esekon (Save the Children), Kenya Red Cross Society, USAID Nawiri, and Welthungerhilfe.
