Phonsaly Province, 1 December 2014 - Ms Sivah is a 38-year-old health worker from Taerng Village, Yodou District, Phonsaly Province. She works at a health centre located 70 kilometres from the nearest district hospital in Boun Neua District, which caters to 573 people in that catchment area.
Ms Sivah and her colleagues participated in one of the largest measles and rubella immunization mobilization campaigns in the history of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Nationwide, an estimated 1.6 million children aged 9 months to under 10 years were vaccinated as part of an effort to eliminate measles and accelerate rubella disease control.
What follows is a photo-essay of Ms Sivah’s participation in the historic vaccination campaign in Yodou District.
Back at the health centre, Ms Sivah related the main challenges she faces in term of access. While hilly road conditions are difficult, there is one village called Chonka Village that can be reached only by boat.
Another challenge is lack of awareness. “Most parents do not know what a fever is and what causes it,” said Ms Sivah. “Also, parents have to work so they don’t want to take care of sick children and this is why they either take their children with them to the field during the vaccination campaign or ask them to lock themselves in the house.” She feels that health workers need to be better supported with communication materials to teach parents about immunization, minor side-effects and how to deal with them.
For more information please contact:
Tan Irene, Communications Officer
WHO Country Office, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Tel: +856 21 353902
Email: tani@wpro.who.int