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.
