Polio Campaign

 This week is phase one of the Polio Campaign for Laikipia North and Isiolo District. Kenya has been Polio free since 1984, but occasional outbreaks spread from neighbouring countries. The most recent, this year, spread from Uganda. The current campaign is organised by the Ministry of Public Health in association with World Health, UNICEF and partners. It targets all children under five, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated already. Nurses are traveling door to door with Community Health Workers to persuade all families to allow infants to be vaccinated against this incurable disease.Onset of polimyelitis can cause paralysis leading to deformity, more often in the legs than the arms, it is spread through faecal contact from infected persons,generally in the under fives. Sudden onset of weakness in limbs in those under 15years should be reported immediately to health professionals. So long as take up for the vaccination remains very high we will not see this tragic disease on the resurgence. Ol lentille Trust conveys great thanks to our Nabakisho Health Care team and its 36 Community Health Workers - health care programmes across so much of Africa are made possible by such locally dedicated men and women. Thank you all!