Routine immunisation outreach in Port Moresby to resume after 10 years

THE routine immunisation outreach programme in Port Moresby is resuming after 10 years, according to family health coordinator Susan Nalu.
She said the immunisation outreach programme in the National Capital District had to be suspended because of logistics and resources issues.
“During the absence of the outreach programme, mothers have been taking their children to the closest clinics for routine immunisation. Most could not take their children due to no fares, distance, mothers having a lot of small children to take all at the same time, and other reasons.
“At our bigger clinics on a daily basis, we receive about 100 babies. On peak days, there are around 200 and for small clinics about 60 children,” Nalu said.
Acting NCD health services adviser Jerry Tanumei said monitoring and evaluation had been the biggest challenge in health service delivery.
“We need the right leadership and enough staff to go out for these programmes in settlements and suburbs in the city to immunise children,” Tanumei said.
“Over the years, clinics have not been receiving funding for the outreach programme.”
Deputy Health Secretary Dr Paison Dakulala said PNG’s low immunisation coverage had many causes, including funding.
Unicef representative David Mcloughlin said the immunisation coverage in PNG was yet to reach a level sufficient enough to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. “We need the political will and leadership to improve the routine immunisation programme to prevent future disease outbreak,” he said.