ILIGAN CITY (PIA)–In an effort to prevent the spread of measles, rubella, and oral polio, the Department of Health (DOH)-10 and the city government here, along with partner agencies, launched the “Chikiting Ligtas” nationwide campaign for the whole month of May.
The program offers free supplemental immunization for children aged 9–59 months to prevent measles and rubella viruses, while children aged 0-59 months will be given oral vaccines to prevent the spread of the polio virus.
Acting City Health Officer Dr. Glenn L. Manarpaac emphasized the importance of the activity to prevent diseases and thanked parents and other partner agencies for participating. The campaign aims to protect children against measles, rubella, and oral polio, both of which have no cure at present, but can be prevented through vaccination.
“Ang atong measles-rubella oral polio vaccine supplemental immunization activity isa sa napaka-importante nga activity para ma-prevent nato ang diseases nga measles-rubella ug kaning polio,” said Manarpaac.
(Our Measles-Rubella Oral polio vaccine supplemental immunization activity is one of the most important activities for us to prevent the diseases Measles-Rubella and this polio)
Meanwhile, Relief International Regional Coordinator Lourdes Grace Diasana urged parents, guardians, and other caregivers to support the program and have their children vaccinated. She assured that the vaccines are free, effective, and safe.
“Sa mga ginikanan, ug dili lang ginikanan katong tigbantay ug bata, mga lolo, lola, uncle, auntie, yaya nga atoang supportahan ang pamakuna sa mga bata edad 0-59 months or katong mga bata nga wala pa’y five years old. Para kini maprotektahan laban measles-rubella ug polio. Kini nga mga sakit wala’y tambal ug ang bakuna nato kay libre, epektibo ug luwas kini, sa mga sakit nga gina-prevent sama sa measles, rubella, and polio,” she said.
(To the parents and to those who take care of children, such as grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, and nannies, we encourage you to support the immunization of children aged 0–59 months or those who are less than five years old. This is to protect against measles, rubella, and polio. These diseases have no cure, and our vaccine is free, effective, and safe for preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, and polio)
Moreover, Dr. Steffi Grace H. Enon, the local health division cluster of DOH, echoed the importance of vaccines in preventing the spread of diseases. She added that the DOH is supporting the LGU in implementing the campaign.
Jean Artajo, a mother of two, expressed her appreciation and highlighted the importance of vaccination for children.
“Sa uban, ato lang pamalandungon nga ang ilang gipanghatag sa atoa kamaayohan. So, magpakuna nata sa atong kaayuhan (for others, let’s just believe that what they give us is for the better. So, let’s get our children vaccinated for their well-being),” she said.
The program’s goal is to vaccinate 95% of the city’s youth. Parents, guardians, and other caregivers are also encouraged to participate to ensure that their children are protected against measles, rubella, and oral polio. (JBM/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
By Jamalodin B. Mutto
