The Consultant of the World Health Organization  (WHO) in Lesotho Ms. Jenny Nyirenda says the health of children has to be improved through the eradication of polio and the control of other vaccine preventable diseases in the context of health system strengthening.

When addressing participants at a six-day Expanded Programme of Immunization (IPE) management workshop that is held for Public Health Nurses and Primary Health Care Coordinators at the Blue Mountain Inn on Thursday, Ms. Nyerinda said in order to keep children healthy the Ministry of Health has to strengthen immunization system, introduce innovations in routine of EPI and accelerate disease control.

The WHO Consultant  further said Lesotho as one of the African countries that are faced with declines in immunization has to attain 80 percent (%) coverage at least by 2005 and to ensure 100% safety of immunizations, sustainable financing as well as to introduce new vaccines and techniques in routine. She pointed out that some of the operational components that need to be taken during immunization system include, logistics, service delivery, surveillance, advocacy, communication as well as vaccine supply and quality.

In an interview, some of the participants told LENA that their expectations are to get skills that could assist them to undertake EPI programmes  properly in the health service areas, since there is a need to improve the health of children through immunization programmes in the country.

Participants  also congratulated the Ministry with the  introduction of hepatitis B vaccine, which would be used during EPI programmes. They said that they already use measles vaccine and polio and that they would impart what they have been taught to their colleagues so that they could conduct immunizations perfectly in the country.

The EPI Officer Mrs. Shoeshoe Matsoele said the workshop is organized and
sponsored by  UNICEF and WHO with a view  to help the government through the  Ministry of Health to manage EPI and to attain 80% as Lesotho ratio ranges between 50and 55 %, which is very low.

20 February, 2003