Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has joined the Ministry of health in the fight against Measles through Rubella vaccination in Pader and Lira as mentioned among the risky areas in the northern part of Uganda.
Lira District Health Officer, Mr Ochen Buchan said that Medical teams of UPDF joined the health workers in mobilizing the community and dispensing of the immunization vaccines to the children. “We thank the UPDF for accepting our call for help in this noble cause. The soldiers have boosted our man power and we are likely to catch up with the set deadline of 20th Oct 2019 as planned by the Ministry of health” said Mr Ochen.
According to Brig.Stephen Mugerwa, the UPDF 5th Division Commander, the 1981 liberation struggle was not just about saving Ugandans from bad governance but it had a wide agenda which included liberating Uganda from all kinds of undesirable conditions including poor health. “Measles and rubella are dangerous diseases which can kill toddlers. I therefore urge all comrades and our civilian counter parts to take their children for immunization for a better healthy living and growth,”Brig Mugerwa emphasized.
The 5th Division Medical Health Officer Capt.Dr. Ivan Ndikuno welcomed the move adding that a healthy population is crucial to National security and development. “It’s one of our constitutional roles as UPDF to support the civilian authority during such activities. We have dispatched our medical personnel to work jointly with the District Health Medical teams to ensure that the exercise benefits all the children below 15 years,” said Capt Dr. Ivan.
WO II Alal Samuel, the in charge of Lira barracks health center III rallied UPDF families and the civil community well in advance making a landmark turn up in Lira town.
The primary goal of measles rubella vaccination is to prevent measles and congenital rubella infection, including congenital syndrome in children from nine years and those below fifteen years.
The UPDF team immunized children of Saint Gracious Nursery and primary school, Lira Army Nursery and Primary school and Saint Stephen Nursery School.
The UPDF team continued to Erute Prisons and helped immunize the children of Erute community.
The Mass Regional immunization exercise was launched on Wed 16th of Oct 2019 at Saint Gracious Nursery and primary school in Lira town and was presided over by the Lira district Resident District Commissioner Mr. Milton Odong.