The National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA) is currently into its fifth day of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus vaccination campaign, aiming to protect women aged 15 to 44 and pregnant women across the Moresby South area in the Nation’s Capital.
The campaign, which commenced on Tuesday, June 10th, is making strides in reaching communities through various avenues.
Other areas including the Moresby North West and Moresby North East areas will be conducted after.
NCDPHA HEO & Acting Deputy Director of Public Health Family Health Services Janet Pongone, confirmed that teams are actively rolling out the Maternal, Neonatal, Perinatal (MNP) and Measles campaign, which integrates the tetanus vaccination, to all 27 health facilities within NCD.
Beyond the clinics, dedicated teams are also reaching out to communities, as well as visiting schools and conducting public awareness in business houses and other public places.
“We have teams set up at the health facilities and teams going out to the community as well, reaching out to their catchments and also the schools.”
“We’re also combating public awareness to all the business houses and the public places, and also into the community.”
While specific data on the total number of individuals vaccinated for tetanus was not immediately available, Janet confirmed that vaccination efforts in schools have begun. Butuka Academy was vaccinated last Friday, June 13th, with two other schools in Moresby South also having received vaccinations.
The campaign specifically targets females aged 15 to 44 years old and pregnant women, highlighting the importance of protecting this vulnerable group.
Janet urged the public and citizens of NCD to utilize the ongoing vaccination drive.
“Whoever can go to the health facility, they can go to all the health facilities in NCD,” she stated.
“And also for those who are set in the community, we have teams coming around the houses and setting up their sites.”
“So whenever our team come, they can always make themselves available, those are eligible ones from 15 to 44 years old, female and also the pregnant women.”
The tetanus vaccination initiative is a key component of the broader MNT campaign, underscoring the NCDPHA’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes in the region.