Datu Unsay LGU hosts anti-polio drive

AWAY WITH POLIO --- Mayor Datu Andal Santiago Ampatuan VI administers the ceremonial oral vaccines during the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio.” (Photo by Datu Unsay LGU)   

DATU UNSAY, Maguindanao --- The local government here, through the leadership of Mayor Datu Andal Santiago Ampatuan VI, launched the anti-polio advocacy program of the Department of Health, dubbed as “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio,“ which was held at the municipal gymnasium last November 25, a simultaneous health activity until December 7, 2019.

 The  “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio” launching was a collaboration with different line-agency partners such as, Ministry of Social Services and Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Ministry of Education,  barangay officials, rural health workers, and department heads and staff.

The mayor said he issued a memorandum to the eight barangay governments to inform their constituencies about the anti-polio drive which is a mandated  advocacy of the national government in a bid to eradicate once more the threat of polio virus to human lives and welfare, especially those children aged zero to five and those who missed the complete dose of vaccination.

As host municipality, Mayor Ampatuan VI said the local government unit is obligated to provide assistance to the vaccination phase and advance the government’s health advocacies, especially the vaccination and immunization regimen among children.

“The Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio vaccination is a mandate of our national government  in order to prevent the children ages 0-5 years old  from contracting polio cases. we provide the manpower such the barangay officials to assist and accompany the vaccination teams going to remote areas of this town to do their work and function as health workers. We also provide the service teams with security personnel,” mayor said.

The mayor said they also conducted simultaneously the food feeding to the children who were present during the launching activity. More than 200 hundred children were beneficiaries of this supplemental program.

Mayor Ampatuan VI, in his message, thanked all department heads, staff and employees, and different line-agency partners for their contributing their resources in the health advocacy program. (Anne Acosta)