[Afghanistan] - Afghanistan to launch nationwide polio vaccination project to protect children

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Afghanistan has actually released a new nationwide polio vaccination project aimed at immunizing kids under the age of five against the
devastating illness, the Afghanistan Polio-Free Organization announced Sunday.The project, which began on July 20, will be carried out
across multiple provinces and districts, and includes the administration of Vitamin A supplements along with oral polio vaccines.Health
officials say the initiative is designed not just to avoid the spread of polio however likewise to strengthen children’& rsquo; s immune
systems and improve overall kid health.“& ldquo; The campaign intends to safeguard children under the age of 5 from the devastating
results of polio,” & rdquo; the company stated, urging households to comply completely with health workers to guarantee that no kid is
left behind.Polio is an extremely contagious viral illness that mostly affects kids and is transmitted through infected water
Early symptoms consist of fever, tiredness, headache, throwing up, and limb pain
In extreme cases—-- around one in every 200 infections—-- the illness can result in permanent paralysis.Afghanistan stays one of just 2
nations in the world, together with Pakistan, where wild poliovirus transmission has yet to be eliminated
Health authorities view continued vaccination campaigns as essential to removing the virus and avoiding lifelong impairment amongst Afghan
kids.“& ldquo; These vaccination campaigns represent a substantial action toward a polio-free future for the nation,” & rdquo; the
Polio-Free Organization highlighted, highlighting the requirement for sustained public engagement and full community
participation.International partners have actually also actioned in to support Afghanistan’& rsquo; s obliteration efforts
Japan, in partnership with UNICEF and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has contributed $5 million to boost immunization
programs throughout all 34 Afghan provinces
The financing will support a 12-month initiative targeted at reaching more than 13 million children with polio and routine youth
vaccines.UNICEF, in a statement released on July 10, applauded the Japanese government’& rsquo; s dedication to Afghanistan & rsquo; s
health sector
& ldquo; This brand-new grant declares Japan’& rsquo; s longstanding assistance for the international effort to eradicate polio,
specifically in underserved, conflict-affected, and hard-to-reach locations,” & rdquo; the agency said.Despite recent development in
minimizing under-five and maternal death, access to basic healthcare stays minimal in much of Afghanistan, leaving countless kids exposed to
preventable diseases
A renewal of polio cases in 2023 exposed significant resistance gaps, particularly among children in mobile, cross-border, and formerly
unattainable communities.While cold chain infrastructure and vaccine delivery systems have enhanced, health authorities warn that continued
caution and urgent action are required to reach every child and close remaining protection spaces.“& ldquo; Polio vaccination is among the
most effective methods to make sure a much healthier, brighter future for Afghan children,” & rdquo; the Polio-Free Organization stated,
calling for cumulative efforts to attain a polio-free Afghanistan.The post Afghanistan to release nationwide polio vaccination campaign to
protect kids first appeared on TINS News|Afghanistan News.