Goilala cough outbreak contained

By ALISON ANIS
TEAMS from the Central health division that visited Goilala early last month have successfully contained a cough outbreak in the district.
Team leader, provincial health manager Michael Uaiz, said they had also immunised children who had missed out on being vaccinated.
The team visited communities around the lower Betapu area, including Onenge, Woitape, Dilaba and Fane.
Six teams made the field trip, starting by flying to Tapini and then walking to the villages
from there.
One of the health officials said details of the visit would be released today by the health manager, adding that a report had been submitted to the Health Department.
Teams were made up of three to four members which included a nursing officer, health extension officers and community health workers.
They also had assistance from locals who helped transport boxes of syringes, drugs, vaccines and other medical supplies.
At least one community visited had reported a death from the cough outbreak that started in March.
The team took the opportunity to raise awareness with community members on safe motherhood practices and how to look after their children and protect them from deadly diseases.
Provincial health authorities last month reported more than 30 children from the remote Goilala district in Central had in the cough outbreak.
Most of the affected areas had reportedly missed out on immunisation coverage for children in the past seven years.