MANILA, Philippines – Mahigit 1.3 milyong bata sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ang makikinabang sa libreng immunization drive mula Abril 1 hanggang 12 kontra sa pagdami ng kaso ng tigdas.
Sa joint statement nitong Marso 28, sinabi na ang major immunization campaign para sa mga bata edad anim na buwan hanggang 10 taong gulang ay isasagawa ng Department of Health (DOH), UNICEF Philippines, World Health Organization, at BARMM Ministry of Health (MOH).
Halos 77% ng kumpirmadong kaso ng tigdas sa bansa ay mula sa BARMM, partikular na sa mga matataong lugar ng Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur at Marawi City.
Tutulong ang UNICEF sa pagbili ng isang milyong doses ng measles vaccines para sa BARMM at karagdagang isang milyon “for the rest of the country.”
“Children aged 6 to 59 months will receive one dose of vitamin A, while those with confirmed cases of measles will receive two. Vitamin A is a low- cost way to prevent complications from happening and boost immunity against other illnesses,” saad sa joint statement.
“There is a critical need to reach and vaccinate the children missed during routine vaccinations. We have to make sure that no child is left behind in the BARMM. We have the support of many stakeholders, now it is up to us to lead in this fight against this deadly disease,” ayon kay BARMM Deputy Minister for Health Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas.
Nakapagtala ang rehiyon ng 592 kaso ng tigdas mula Enero 1 hanggang Marso 20 ngayong taon.
“It is generally believed that the total number of cases in the community is much more. Last October, Lanao del Sur activated their emergency operations centers for a measles outbreak in all health units. In the same month, Marawi City declared a measles outbreak,” sinabi pa sa joint statement.
Makikipag-ugnayan ang WHO sa mga partner nito sa global, regional at national levels para suportahan ang DOH na mabakunahan ang lahat ng vulnerable populations.
“Measles is probably the most contagious disease known to affect humans. It can affect anyone, though it is most common in children. Data from the current outbreak has as many as 30 per cent of the cases above 5 years of age. Community-wide vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. Urgent, targeted, and accelerated efforts are critical to reach all children with the necessary measles vaccine,” sinabi ni WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus.
Nagbigay ang WHO sa DOH ng technical assistance batay sa “global best practices” para sa measles vaccination.
Kabilang dito ang rekomendasyon sa vaccination strategies, guidance on the target populations, disease surveillance at health worker training.
Sa kabilang banda, sinuportahan ng UNICEF ang rehiyon sa vaccine procurement, pagtatalaga ng karagdagang health staff, pagtatayo ng cold chain capacity, at pakikipag-ugnayan sa religious at community leaders para tugunan ang hesitancy at misinformation sa bakuna.
“No child should ever die from vaccine-preventable diseases. Since last year, UNICEF has been actively supporting the accelerated prevention and outbreak response activities. We provided much-needed cold-chain equipment, training the health force, mobilizing religious, community and youth leaders so they can educate families on how best to protect children. We are ready to step up and do whatever it takes to ensure every child is vaccinated and protected,” ani UNICEF Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.
Noong 2023, tanging 60% ng eligible na mga bata ang nakatanggap ng kanilang unang dose ng measles vaccine at 51% na lamang ang nakakuha ng second dose sa BARMM. RNT/JGC
