Baramita Health Post receives new ATV
─ in support of immunisation programme
─ close to attaining 100% immunisation coverage
DPI, Guyana, Friday, November 23, 2018
The Baramita Health Post’s Immunisation programme has received a considerable boost after the Regional Health Services’ department of the Ministry of Public Health handed over an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV).
Just recently, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence made a visit to the village in the Matarkai sub-region of Barima-Waini to conduct an assessment on the status of healthcare delivery. While there, she handed over the keys to the new ATV to the Medex of the Health Post, Holly Edghilo-Gill.
The minister said the vehicle is to be used to support the immunisation programme in the village and surrounding communities.
Medex Edghilo-Gill updated the minister on the steady progress made in ensuring all children receive the required vaccination. The high recording of vaccination coverage is owed to a few outreaches which were facilitated earlier in 2019.
“We passed BCG and the first dose of IPV that’s for the newborn babies so we have 100 per cent coverage for those. We also have yellow fever and MMR, we passed the target and now we’re at 80 per cent and by December we should meet the 100,” Edghilo-Gill explained.
She, however, indicated that there is one area namely Karaparu where a ‘mop-up’ exercise needs to be conducted. This will ensure that there is 100 per cent vaccination coverage in the entire Baramita area. The Medex also noted that the acquisition of the ATV will be able to get the vaccination service to homes where parents are unable to attend the clinic with their children.
The ATV complements two others which where were donated by PAHO/WHO to the region earlier in the year.
Story and Images: Delicia Haynes.