Rasesa Village, Kgatleng District – 24 April 2017: A high profile and well attended community African Vaccination Week commemoration was held in Rasesa Village in Kgatleng District. Among dignitaries in attendance was the representative of the Honourable Minister of Health and Wellness DR Haruna Jibril, including Kgosi Rasesa and other Kgosi from the district environs. The Honourable Member of Parliament for Mochudi North West Hon. Gilbert Mangole accompanied by Honourable councillors from Pilane, Bokaa, Boseja, Rasesa led by Vice Chairperson of the Kgatleng District Council Hon David Motlhatlhedi graced the event. The one UN was represented by Dr Martins Ovberedjo the World Health Organization Representative.

Dr Haruna Jibril in his key note address indicated that Botswana prides itself in commemorating the AVW whose objective is to strengthen the immunization services in the region. “Botswana recognizes that every child or woman has the right to immunizations. Botswana therefore joined other African nations to sign the Addis Declaration on Immunization.  He stated that in Botswana they believe that vaccines are the most cost effective public health strategy to avert morbidity and mortality from vaccine preventable diseases. Botswana has therefore invested in introducing new vaccines with the aim to protect its nation, he added. Dr Jibril informed the audience that in 1974, Botswana eradicated Small Pox and that in 2018 and 2020 Botswana will join the world in eradicating Polio and Measles respectively.

Dr Jibril indicated that the aim of the country is to attain high immunization coverage hence the annual AVW commemoration. He indicated that while the African Vaccination Week is commemorated during the last week of April in marks the beginning of the acceleration of the delivery of High Impact Interventions (HIIs) in May each year. The said HIIs included exclusive breast feeding, Oral Rehydration Therapy, LLITNs, Deworming, and hand washing. He indicated that the country was committed in ensuring that the children get the right vaccines at the right time.

Dr Jibril further informed the nation that the country was committed to implementing the Addis Declaration on Immunization to ensure that universal access to vaccination is attained. Botswana takes pride in providing vaccines to all eligible children, and forum like the AVW gives opportunity for children that may have had a missed opportunity, he added. “Let us live the theme of the AVW 2017 that vaccinations protect everyone, get vaccinated” Dr Jibril concluded.

Dr Jibril concluded his speech by thanking the development partners for supporting his country and also thanked Kgatleng district for an excellent job in hosting and organizing the colourful event.

For his part the WHO Representative Dr Martins Ovberedjo stated that Botswana joined other African nations in endorsing the Addis Declaration on Immunizations. It is well noted that Botswana’s investment in vaccines and the delivery of immunizations services demonstrates the country’s dedicated responsibility over the health of its people. WR emphasized his appreciation of the Kgatleng district that hosted the first national AVW in 2017. The AVW was an initiative following the 2010 World Health Assembly’s endorsement of the World Immunization Week. Countries world-wide saw vaccines as a right for every child and hence the AVW is a forum where awareness is created for universal access to immunization for every child.

The WR indicated that the ADI therefore would not have come at a better time. He indicated that with the visionary leadership and committed governance, Botswana has an opportunity to do even better in immunization service delivery. He indicated that observing older community members arriving in large numbers with grandchildren in their company only goes to demonstrate the commitment of the care givers. Dr Martins congratulated the Kgatleng District, the Member of Parliament Hon Mangole and his many Councillors in attendance and the Rasesa village Kgosi and his community for the hard work in organizing the lively event.

The Member of Parliament for Mochudi West Hon Mangole in his vote of thanks did not mince his words in appreciating his constituency for a job well done in organizing such a  high profile event. He appreciated the presence of the WR and honourable councillors from all over the district.  Hon Mangole informed the district that he expected more from the district in reducing the number of unimmunized children and increasing the immunization coverage to more than 90%. Hon. MP Mangole who is a member of the Parliamentary Health and Social Committee informed the audience that Parliament takes health very seriously and that alone should motivate the communities.

The day was indeed colourful with a variety of entertainment (school children Polka dance, Public service choir, poetry and very educative drama. Children were also provided with amusement jumping castles and looked colourful with AVW logo apparel.

In the spirit of integration of services guests were guided to a tour of the Public Health stalls which included Nutrition Oral health, safe male circumcision, children’s rights and immunization IEC material stalls

_________________________________________________

For further information please contact:

Mrs B Nfila, NPO/EPI, nfilab [at] who.int
 

Below:

01 AVW 2017 Children

02 Dr H Jibril - keynote speaker

03 Dr M Ovberedjo giving remarks on AVW 2017

04 AVW 2017 Entertainment by school children

05 AVW 2017 Commemoration officials

06 Dr H Jibril handing over an award of appreciation on AVW 2017

07 Kgosi Rasesa (the tribal head) giving welcoming remarks

08 Member of Parliament Mangole giving vote of thanks on AVW 2017

09 Members of the community attending AVW 2017

10 Child being immunised on AVW 2017

11 Children participating in aerobics following AVW 2017 walk