Vice President Abdelbaggi Akol administering a vaccine on the child during the launched a polio outbreak response vaccination campaign on Tuesday in Juba - Credit: Kiko Martins/Eye Radio Feb. 27, 2024

The Ministry of Health with support from the World Health Organization and UNICEF launched a polio outbreak response vaccination campaign on Tuesday.

The campaign targets an estimated 3 million children aged from 0-59 months across the country through house-house immunization.

Polio is an illness caused by a virus that mainly affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem.

In its most severe form, polio can lead to paralysis of a person.

The vaccination campaign is launched following the reported cases from Yambio County western Equatoria state.

“UNICEF is very much delighted to join the Ministry of Health and the representatives of development partners to launch the commencement of the polio outbreak responsive vaccination campaign. This is a very important campaign for all of us,” UNICEF representative Hamida Lessoko commenced the polio campaign on Tuesday.

“I would like to take this opportunity to redefect the Ministry of Health, the government of South Sudan, particularly for their leadership and commitment to the wellbeing of the population of South Sudan and particularly the children of South Sudan,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting health minister Awut Deng Acuil calls upon parents, caregivers, families, religious groups and communities to ensure all children below 5 years are vaccinated against polio.

She further appeals to the key institutions to collaborate and support the Ministry of Health to combat the spread of polio.

“To turn this vaccination campaign into a success, I would like to urge all the parents, caregivers, families, religious groups and communities to ensure that all eligible children get vaccinated against polio during the campaign,’ said Minister Awut.

“I called upon the government, donors, development partners, and health partners to collaborate and support the Ministry of Health in the fight for the eradication of polio in South Sudan,” she said.

“The government is always with you to provide a favourable working environment and ensure highly quality health services for the people of South Sudan.”

On his part, Vice President, Hussein Abdelbagi urges all the partners to collaborate and protect the well-being of the children of South Sudan.

Adding that collective efforts will combat the spread of polio amongst children under 5 years.

“I call upon all stakeholders from government officials to community leaders, health care workers to international partners to rally together in this crucial endures,” said Vice President Hussein.

“Our collective action today will determine the course of our nation’s health tomorrow, let us stand united in our result to combat this outbreak and protect the well-being of our people,” he said.