Measles eradicated by 2020
World Vision Burundi joins Burundi health stakeholders to reduce morbidity and mortality from measles up to 98% in 2013 and a total eradication of that disease by 2020.
On the 15-January 2013, Gervais Rufyikiri, the second deputy president of the Republic launched the Mother and Child Health Week Campaign. 2013 Mother and Child Health Week Campaign coincided with the introduction of a second round of vaccine against the measles. That launch took place in Gishubi commune of Gitega province (centre of the country). It was supported by UN agencies and other organisations whose priority is the well-being of children. World Vision Burundi contributed to the launch by giving iron folate and albendazole tablets.
Doctor Sabine Ntakarutimana, Burundi Minister of health who welcomed the visitors, mentioned that the Mother and Child Health Week Campaign is an activity which is organised yearly by her government supported by the different health stakeholders to ensure that all Burundian children are protected from preventable diseases. She called upon all parents to respond massively to that campaign by bringing their children to health facilities for their immunisation.
“For donors, your support and presence here are a sign that you are really committed to the well-being of Burundian children. Thank you very much.” She said as she concluded.
NATASCHA PADDISON from UNICEF Burundi, who represented donors, explained that Burundi with the support of partners, decided to strengthen its strategy of vaccination against measles by the introduction of a second round dose because despite the progress already recorded, cases of this disease were evident over the last three years. She promised on behalf of all partners to continue to support Burundi until every child is immunised.
Gervais Rufyikiri stood last and before he launched the campaign, he expressed his wish of seeing all Burundians committed to family planning. According to him children deaths, are in most of cases due to malnutrition. Parents give birth to many kids they are not able to fend for.