Anti-polio vaccination in Lanao Sur starts today

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — Police and the military are ready to assist the government in conducting the anti-polio vaccination program in Mindanao.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, will launch the anti-polio campaign today in Marawi.

The event will mark the start of the anti-polio vaccination program in Lanao del Sur that the provincial government will implement in 39 towns.

“The Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade (IB) and all of its units will help the provincial government carry out the activity,” Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, head of the Western Mindanao Command, said on Saturday.

All is ready for today’s symbolic start of the province-wide anti-polio initiative, according to provincial health officer Allen Minalang.

“Islam preachers in our ranks will help educate Maranao communities on the importance of having the children vaccinated against polio,” Col. Madzgani Mukaram, chief of the provincial police, said.

“Our municipal police offices will help facilitate the vaccination campaign in all barangays in the province,” he added.

Mukaram said they are ready to protect the health workers tasked to conduct vaccination activities in remote areas.

Army units in the province have medical officers who are ready to help the local government implement the mass vaccination activity.

Security has been tightened in Marawi since Friday as part of the preparations for today’s program, which will be attended by representatives from UNICEF and the DOH central office.