AT THE REGIONAL LAUNCH IN DAR ES SALAAM DR. MENGI SAYS NO DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT HEALTHY POPULATION

IPP Executive Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi vaccinates kindergarten pupil Sahil Alifa against measles and rubella in Dar es Salaam yesterday as part of a week-long countrywide campaign.

IPP Executive Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi has underscored the need for Tanzania to have a healthy population able to engage in productive social and economic development activities.

Speaking at the launch of measles and rubella vaccination campaign yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Dr Mengi said, for the economy of any nation to grow it needs a healthy work force.

“Vaccination of children is the first step in improving public health,” said the renowned philanthropist citing that it is the responsibility of every parent and guardian to ensure children under their care get vaccinated if they are to enjoy a healthy productive future.

Dr Mengi also pointed out that there are misled notions purporting that the vaccinations are a family planning conspiracy by the government and other claims hold that the vaccines may lead to mental illnesses.

 “People with these perceptions should change their mind sets because by keeping children from these vaccines they are denying them the opportunity to get lifesaving vaccination,” Dr Mengi warned.

He also took the time to commend efforts by the Lions Club International through for its humanitarian support to various causes across the country.

In his comments, Lions Club International Past Council Chairperson, Lion Abdul Majeed Khan, said the Club has injected 20bn/- as a support to the vaccination campaign in order to ensure that it is successful. 

Lion Khan said through the Club’s humanitarian support, over 40 million people worldwide have already benefited from free eye check-up and at least 3,000 children with heart problems in the country have been sent to India for treatments.

Apart from health service support, he said the Club also provides support in ensuring access to clean and safe water to people in rural areas.

Speaking at the same event, Director of nutrition from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Vincent Assey, said measles and rubella are dangerous diseases that pose great threats to health well-being of millions of children.

He said that for the country to have a stronger and healthier future generation with a high thinking capacity, inclusive efforts should be taken to ensure that children grow up with better health.

According to him, the government recognises the Lion’s Club great supports especially in helping people in vulnerable environments across the country.

Ilala municipality Medical Officer, Dr Willy Sangu reminded stakeholders that accomplishment of the campaign cannot be made possible by the government alone; instead, inclusive efforts from health stakeholders are needed.

He said with the ongoing campaign, 445,801 children are expected to be vaccinated in Ilala District alone and that 30 per cent of the targeted children have already received the vaccine in the set 159 vaccine centres. According to statistics, over 200 cases of rubella were reported between 2010 and 2013. 

Last week Chief Medical Officer Dr Donald Mmbando announced that following such increased number of cases, the ministry thought it wise to vaccinate children from nine months up to 15 years old against the disease.

Administration of the vaccination in Ilala District begun on October 18 and will run through October 24, this year and then proceed on to other regions of the country.