11/03/2011

Eliminating Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus in LaoPDR

Eliminating Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus in LaoPDR Tube. Duration : 2.45 Mins.


Striving to Eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus in LaoPDR Vientiane, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, February 4th 2011- As morning broke in the province of Bollikhamxay, health workers made final preparations for a mass immunization drive targeting women and children from surrounding villages. Tucked into the rolling mountainous landscape of Laos, Bollikhamxay is one of many provinces that recently conducted the 3rd round of a national campaign designed to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) by 2012. Tetanus is a rapid and painful killer disease globally affecting tens of thousands of newborns each year. LaoPDR is one of the few remaining countries in Asia still affected by this disease, which has been a common consequence of unclean deliveries and poor umbilical cord practises. The two year campaign which started in December 2009, comprised three rounds of immunization for girls and women from 15-45 years of age and vitamin A and de-worming capsules for children aged 6-59 months. The aim of this effort: to reduce the number of maternal and neonatal tetanus cases to such low levels that MNT is no longer a threat to public health. For the health workers, achieving a high turnout is essential and it is evident here in the heart of rural Laos people understand the importance of protecting themselves against tetanus. 'In this district we have a strong commitment to raising awareness about immunization' Dr. Somphone Lassavong, Head of Vienthong District Health ...

Tags: Laos, UNICEF, Immunization

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