Morobe to benefit from new programme

The National National
The Accelerating Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening programme got underway in Lae, Morobe, earlier this month. From left: family health services coordinator Patricial Gahanao, Christine Upaiga with her child and provincial health authority board chairman David Wisink. – Picture courtesy of WORLD VISION

MOROBE is among the first provinces to benefit from a new programme to improve immunisation coverage and reduce the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases according to World Vision.
In preparation for the rollout of the programme, the Morobe health authority (PHA) and World Vision PNG hosted a start-up workshop for Accelerating Immunisation and Health Systems Strengthening programme (AIHSS) for stakeholders in Lae earlier this month.
According to World Vision, Morobe has more than 20,000 children in need of annual vaccinations and the current focus on Covid-19 means general health services – including immunisations – have been disrupted, while the risk of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases remains high.
Morobe health authority chief executive officer Dr Kipas Binga said the process ensured key stakeholders were united in their mission to improve immunisation efforts and strengthen the province’s health systems.
“Immunisations are always important and especially at this time with the looming threat of the Covid-19, which is putting additional stresses on healthcare delivery around the world,” he said.