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Cameroon: South West - Disturbing Situation
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Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
9 April 2008
Posted to the web 9 April 2008
Martin Akuro Akwa
Vaccination campaign against the polio virus in the province records a minimum 91 % coverage.
The poliomyelitis situation in the South West Province is serious since the province is near New Bell (Douala) where a wild polio virus was discovered recently. Dr Mafany Njie, the South West Provincial Delegate of Public Health told CT in his Buea office yesterday.
Other factors also make the situation serious. The South West Province has a long border with neighbouring Nigeria , which is polio endemic. Also, there are many official and unofficial openings enabling citizens of both countries to crisscross the border by land, sea and air. The South West, Littoral and the Far North were chosen for immunization because of their closeness to Nigeria. As the days go by, there is the possibility of other provinces to follow the immunization exercise, Dr Mafany Njie said.
The virus must be prevented since it cripples children for life, leaving parents to take care of their crippled children for life. It can only be prevented through routine vaccination. Complete dose must be taken as many times as it is available. "Afterall, it is administered free of charge," Dr Mafany Njie reiterated.
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The first phase, launched in Mutengene, ended well. Results received from Muyuka, Buea and Limbe show at least 91 % coverage. The percentage indicates a good start although a pocket of resistance was overcome in Ekona. Programmes for immunization should be given jointly by all the forces with full participation of the grassroot if health issues are to be respected. It should be recalled that the vaccination exercise in the South West was carried out from door to door, schools and markets for children from 0 - 59 months and lasted until 6th April.
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