First Lady Launches Pneumonia Vaccine in Bo
Bo: In furtherance of complimenting the goals of government’s free health care delivery policy, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Madam Sia Nyama Koroma last Friday launched the free pneumococcal vaccination campaign for children under one year, with an immunization campaign slogan; ‘immunize your child against pneumonia’, at the Bo city hall.
Making a statement at a jam packed hall, Mrs. Koroma demonstrated passion for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
‘I’m very passionate about women and children especially the under fives and pregnant women’, she said.
The First Lady recalls that few months back her office in collaboration with donors held a very successful symposium at the same venue and so many other projects, including the official commissioning of the pneumonia vaccine, for the rapid reduction in the death of children from such illness.
She implored child-bearing mothers to make very good use of the opportunity and called on all to redouble efforts in making the health sector a success story.
‘Our presence in Bo this afternoon is an indication to save the lives of our children’, pledges the First Lady.
Pneumonia, Mrs. Koroma said says is more dangerous than HIV/AIDS and children are dying of it even though it is preventable, thus vows ‘we must work hard to change the entire health picture of Sierra Leone’.
She praises the efforts of government for gains made in the health care delivery and discloses plans to implement a comprehensive scheme in the sector.
‘These children are our national treasures, so let us preserve our resources in preventing them from dying of deadly infections’, she cautions, and craves the indulgence of all and sundry including donors to put hands on deck.
Mrs. Koroma reiterates government’s political will in providing essential component of the free health care delivery initiative.
Following the declaration of the campaign launched, the First Lady administered the vaccination to one of the babies.
Welcoming the First Lady and her delegation to the ‘would be’ municipality, Mayor Dr. Wusu Sannoh observes that the more government formulates new strategies for improvement in the sector, the more witch crafts and wizards in the villages will also be reduced.
The Bo City Council, Mayor Sannoh stressed strongly and fully supports the central government, saying that council has also improved on the medical and sanitation conditions at the Government Hospital.
Dr. Sannoh also spoke of council’s intention to make an additional input to the health sector at the Bo Government Hospital.
The Minister of State South, Moijueh Kaikai described that the move by government is a carry-over of what President Koroma is doing in the health sector, thus; ‘you should thankful to God for giving you a God-fearing leader that love his people and his country’.
He said that President Koroama has put his words into action through what he is presently doing in the country. The Minister of State South therefore encouraged the community to be watch dogs for the drugs.
‘Anybody who is caught with the drugs will be jailed’, he charges.
Drumming, singing and dancing by traditional mask dancers and supporters of the All Peoples Congress party climaxed the ceremony.
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