Addressing journalists at Brikama Health Centre after touring some health facilities in West Coast Region, the country representative of The World Health Organisation in Banjul, Charles Sargoe Moses expressed delight at the progress made towards the target. He said: “The vaccinators are doing a good job and we hope that they will be able to vaccinate all children that are eligible which is very important because we don’t to want miss any child. The emphasis is for them go to all the remote areas so that no child is left without being immunised as far as polio is concerned. It is because of these campaigns that The Gambia was declared polio free for about a decade. The campaign needs to be continuing because if we become complacent, we may start seeing what we do not want to see.
Other countries that have been complacent or have not been doing what we are doing are suffering. Therefore, it is never enough when you are doing well. It is better if all of us are doing well that is why we are doing synchronised national immunisation days so that we can cover all the children that are eligible for the campaign. I will take this opportunity to tell the mothers they should continue bringing their children for vaccinations .That is why we will be able ensure that this country is free of polio .From what I saw today, I am hopeful that they will be able to meet the target of over 400,000 children. I am quite sure if we continue at the same momentum as I saw today will be able to reach our target”.
Modou Njai, director of Health Promotion and Communication Directorate declared: “We are happy that the campaign is successful in the sense that on the third day of the campaign we got a data of 87.5% which is very encouraging. The campaign is relevant because we want to maintain a polio free Gambia.”
Awa Sanyang, communication officer health promotion and communication directorate said: “We want to eradicate polio globally. Even though in The Gambia we have not seen any active polio cases but in sub region countries like Nigeria are still registering polio cases. Therefore, we want to protect our under five children to be immune from poliovirus that why these campaigns are ongoing. I am sure we will meet the target. If your child is vaccinated against polio, it can help in preventing polio virus.”
The National Assembly member for Foni Kansala, Hon. Buba Bojang, also expressed delight at the campaign, hailing the Ministry of Health and partners for their concern to the health and wellbeing of Gambians.
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