2,000 Sandakan kids get polio immunisations

SANDAKAN: The Sandakan District Polio Immunisation Campaign (KIPS) held on Wednesday in Kg Bahagia, here, received good response with about 2,000 children, accompanied by their parents and guardians, given oral immunisation.

The campaign also enabled parents to learn more about the disease.

Parents approached by Daily Express expressed happiness over the implementation of the KIPS.

Nasra Jukal, 27, who came with three children, aged 9, two years and eight months, said the programme was very convenient for them because they don’t have to travel.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Electrifying windows of opportunity in Sabah - The right policies, collaborations, and strategies can turn emerging opportunities into victories for all parties in Sabah.

CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

A mother of a one-year-old, Sharifah Hamid, 18, said it was important not only for herself but also for everyone else to know about polio.

“I found out this programme from my sister who also came along with two of her children,” she said.

“We would like to thank the Government for their concern. Such programme indeed gives us, parents, easy access to polio-related information, hence increase our knowledge,” she added.

Meanwhile, State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung said the people of Sabah, including foreign nationals, must take advantage of the free polio immunisation provided for children under five years old.

He said early prevention is important since the disease, which causes paralysis, has no cure.

‘’I take this opportunity to remind parents that the polio immunisation is conducted in two stages.

‘’They must take their children for a second polio immunisation dose after receiving the first dose in the first stage, in accordance with the date stipulated in their appointment card by the Health Department,’’ he said when launching the campaign.

Also present was the Sabah Health Department Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.

In addition, Poon also reminded the public to observe personal hygiene by often washing their hands with soap and clean water each time after going to the toilet and changing the baby’s diaper.

‘’This is because the polio germs can spread through food, drinks or toys which have been touched by hands that are contaminated by faeces containing polio germs.

‘’We also must look after the cleanliness of our surroundings by disposing off garbage correctly,’’ he said.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Dr Rundi said the campaign would be held in the other districts to ensure many children received the polio immunisation injections.

On the proliferation of the Influenza A, she said the situation was under control in Sabah and reminded the public to take preventive measures such as by covering their mouths and noses, and looking after their health and cleanliness.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00