AMANI CLUB CAMPAIGNS IN KARIAKOO AND MCHAFUKOGE AREAS OF DAR ES SALAAM

Amani Club was led by its Convenor Lion Naemullah Dar. They combed all mosque, schools, and shops in Kariakoo and Mchafukoge areas.

HOST CLUB CARRYING OUT MRI CAMPAIGN IN DAR ES SALAAM

Host Club were led by Convenor Lion Akil Asharia and Co Convenor Lion Nureen Nathoo to distribute print material and social mobilisation in various schools and hospitals in the Central Business District and Upanga.

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.

LAUNCH OF MRI CAMPAIGN IN TANZANIA SPRINGS FROM DODOMA

A massive campaign on measles-rubella vaccination kicked off from Dodoma, targeting about 21 million children aged between nine months and under 15 years countrywide.

Tanzania becomes the first country in Africa that uses a single dose containing two antigens, for measles and another for rubella.

Speaking at the launch of the national campaign on Saturday in Dodoma, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Neema Rusibamayila, said due to repeated outbreaks of measles in the country, and the threat of rubella, the campaign will cover all children whether they had been vaccinated before or not.

However, children will also be vaccinated twice against the two infections in their lifetime; first when one reaches nine months and the second dose will be administered when a child turns 18 months.

During the seven day campaign beginning October 18, children will also get vitamin A supplements and anti worms as adults receive preventive/curative drugs against the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) of Elephantiasis.

Dr Rusibamayila said Tanzania experiences measles outbreak at least after three years but between 2010 and 2012, of all children that were suspected to have measles, nine per cent were diagnosed with rubella, hence showing the importance of introducing rubella antigens.

“Because not all children are taken for immunization, it is sometimes difficult to prevent outbreaks of such infections. But it is important that we insist on all children being vaccinated because they are among the most vulnerable, besides expecting mothers. This is among the low cost measures toward having a healthy nation and reducing mortality,” she said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 2 million people in the world are affected by measles each year. 15,000 of them die and another 60,000 lose sight.

For his part, the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Rashid, said with the introduction of measles-rubella vaccination, the government aims to curb all types of disabilities and deaths from measles and rubella by 2020.

He added that apart from being a low cost approach to fighting diseases and reducing deaths, immunization is also an economic investment for the families and the nation at large.

PCC Lion Khan elaborated on the role of Lions in the MRI Campaign and was glad to advise that the efforts made since July this year had paved way for a successful outcome. LCIF had provided $12 ml for the initiative he mentioned.

RC LIONS SHIRAZ CALLS FOR DAR FRATERNITY MEETING TO PLAN FOR THE REGIONAL LAUNCH AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE MRI CAMPAIGN

ARUSHA LIONS LAUNCH MEASLES RUBELLA AND SEE A HUGE TURNOUT

KILIMANJARO LIONS DISPLAY MRI CAMPAIGN SKILLS METICULOUSLY

All Lions Club of Kilimanjaro took an active part in assisting the medical personal at three different vaccination centres as the program took off in Kilimanjaro region on 18th October. We are glad to report the high turnout of children and continuous progress as we move on.

Kilimanjaro Lions under the stewardship of Convenor RC Lion Balraj and Lion Rehal mobilised 6ml TShs through well wishers.

The Regional Launch was officiated by District Commissioner Dr. Ibrahim Msengi. It was carried out at Majengo Dispensary. 

The road shows covered almost 90 percent of the region and was carried out for 2 consecutive days.

Also as part of the' October world service month' Lions distributed water and sweets worth TZS 500,000/- to all the children present. We are trying our level best with the regional medical officers to make sure all the children get vaccinated against deadly viruses like Measles & Rubella and infants get Polio drops with Vitamin A tablets every day till 24th October 2014.

Report by Lion Varinderpal S. Bhamra