Gaza: Polio Campaign Reaches 94,000 Children in Besieged North
November 4, 2024
Gaza City, Gaza Strip – A massive polio vaccination campaign has successfully reached 94,000 children in the besieged northern Gaza Strip, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The campaign, launched on November 2, aimed to vaccinate all children under the age of five against the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease. It was conducted by the Palestinian Ministry of Health with support from WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Over 1,000 healthcare workers were deployed to administer the vaccine to children in all five governorates of the Gaza Strip. They visited homes, schools, and health centers, reaching even the most remote areas.
“This is a significant achievement that will help protect thousands of children from this devastating disease,” said Dr. Gerald Rockenschaub, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory. “It is a testament to the resilience of the Palestinian people and the commitment of healthcare workers to providing essential health services under difficult circumstances.”
The northern Gaza Strip has been under strict Israeli blockade for over 15 years, severely restricting the movement of people and goods. This has led to chronic shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies, making it challenging to provide routine immunization services.
Despite these challenges, the polio vaccination campaign was able to achieve high coverage thanks to the cooperation of the Palestinian authorities, WHO, UNICEF, and other international organizations.
“This is a major step forward in our efforts to eradicate polio from the Gaza Strip,” said Dr. Hala Al-Farkh, Director General of the Preventive Health Department at the Palestinian Ministry of Health. “We are grateful for the support of our partners and the dedication of our healthcare workers.”
Polio is a highly contagious disease that can cause paralysis and even death. There is no cure for polio, but it can be prevented through vaccination. The last cases of polio in the Gaza Strip were reported in 1988, but the risk of re-infection remains due to the ongoing conflict and the presence of refugees from polio-endemic countries.
The WHO has called on the international community to continue supporting polio vaccination campaigns in the Gaza Strip and other conflict-affected areas. “Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and free from preventable diseases,” said Dr. Rockenschaub. “We must ensure that all children, regardless of where they live, have access to life-saving vaccines.”
Gaza: Polio campaign reaches 94,000 children in besieged north
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