The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS), through its volunteers in Morobe Province, has partnered with the Morobe Provincial Health Authority (MPHA) to support the ongoing Polio Immunization Campaign in Lae city.
The campaign was officially launched last Wednesday, followed by the vaccination rollout on Thursday.
Health workers, with the support of Red Cross volunteers and other partner organizations, have since been administering polio vaccines to children across Lae.
The program will continue throughout this week to ensure as many children as possible are protected.
Sr. Chirs, a health worker from the Butibam clinic, thanked PNG Red Cross for mobilizing volunteers to support the effort.
“The Red Cross volunteers made our job much easier. They were very helpful in explaining to the public why polio vaccination is important and convinced many parents to bring their children.”
PNGRCS Morobe Branch volunteers have been playing a vital role in mobilizing communities, conducting awareness, and assisting health teams on the ground.
Their support has been essential in reaching more families and addressing concerns from parents and caregivers.
The National Society also partnered with the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA) in Port Moresby, where volunteers supported health workers to mobilize communities and ensure children were immunized against polio.
PNG Red Cross Secretary General, Gellie Akui, emphasized the importance of this collaboration as part of the Society’s mandate.
“As an auxiliary to the government, PNG Red Cross Society is mandated to provide support to government departments during emergencies.”
“This is a step in the right direction to work closely with provincial health authorities.”
“We thank the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Morobe PHA for this partnership, and we would like to see it continue.”
“I would also appeal to other Provincial Health Authorities across the country to reach out and use the support of our volunteers in the branches.”
“They are well trained and willing to provide support to make sure all children are safe and receive the polio vaccination.”
PNG is currently experiencing a polio outbreak linked to low routine immunization coverage among children.
In response, this campaign is targeting all children under the age of ten.
PNG Red Cross is calling on all parents, guardians, and caregivers to take their children under ten years old to the nearest health facility or mobile outreach site this week to receive the free polio drops.
Together, with the support of health authorities, partners, and communities, we can protect our children and keep polio out of PNG.