The Health Department in the Abyei Special Administration Area (ASAA) confirmed that more than 28,000 children were vaccinated against polio during the first round of the latest vaccination campaign in the region, which was held in collaboration with the National Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
This came in a statement made by the director of the immunization in health department, Mr. Yusuf Lal Ayom to Abyei FM on Monday, 18 March, 2024.
Mr. Ayom said that 28,076 boys and girls had been vaccinated against polio out of 28,131 targeted in Abyei, including children returning from Sudan and Sudanese refugees in Amiet.
He explained that most children in Abyei do not receive vaccination due to lack of capabilities and the failure of the national ministry of health to provide services to Abyei. He expects the second round to begin next April.
Moreover, Mr. Ayom stated that, the immunization department failed to reach some villages like; Marial Achak, Leu, Mabek, Tajalei, Noong and Kolom, due to the lack of adequate means of transportation, noting that immunization team use one car to move around Abyei.
The polio campaign was launched earlier this month, and continued for more than two weeks, targeting 28,131 children in the Abyei Special Administrative Area (ASAA).
