Let Us Immunize Our Children As Guided By The Ministry Of Health.

Prevention is better than cure:

By Gladys Nakazzi Kabanda

As we continue on our journey of good health practices, let us applaud the Ministry of health in our country Uganda under the leadership of the health minister-Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng for ensuring that the children of this nation are protected from preventable diseases like measles and rubella(MR).

Last week between 16^th-20^th October 2019, mass immunization was carried out on children aged nine months to 15years at schools, health centers, and parishes but the challenge is that some people in our country are still ignorant about immunization, prevention of diseases and boosting immunity. Nevertheless, the ministry extended the immunization exercise two weeks into November so as to rule out disease outbreak amongst children.

This extension should not be taken for granted, parents should play their role in preventing diseases amongst children.

Prevention of diseases is a reality as the old saying states “health is made at home and repaired in hospitals” thus Parents should embrace government programmes whenever called upon especially if they concern children. Remember, “Our children are our future”

As an educator, I am calling upon the medical fraternity to continue sensitizing the communities about the importance of immunizing children at the right time so as to prevent the effects of such diseases in our country and the world at large.

The ministry of health made the right choice to immunize most of these children at school and parishes.

This may probably be one of the reasons why they were able to immunize over 18.7 million children exceeding the target of 18 million children less than 15 years as reported by (Nabatanzi,2019).

Parents and teachers in schools and other stakeholders should, therefore, appreciate that good health practices are a key to academic success. Students’ health should be given a lot of attention because if not taken care of then it can affect their performance in class and the realization of their career. This is in line with Leckrone & Kelley, 2018  who wrote that “the healthier students are, the more they might achieve thus they should get plenty of sleep and eat well so that they are socially and emotionally healthy”.

Students especially the young ones (Pupils) should be vaccinated against preventable diseases like Poliomyelitis, measles, whooping cough, rubella, diphtheria dysentery, mumps in order to attend school, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination against cervical cancer for girls of eight years most especially, Hepatitis B vaccination to prevent diseases which affect the liver, mumps, tetanus, tuberculosis and yellow fever as tracked by World Health Organization (WHO).

More still, circumcision of boys should also be embraced so as to ensure good hygiene of their private parts and preventing them from acquiring UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections).

Students in boarding section should be encouraged to always visit the sickbay to report their sickness to the school nurse or school doctor so as to ensure that minor illnesses are managed before they get out of hand.

Proper health management will lead to the regularity of a learner in class and will eventually lead to success.

Reference

Leckrone, B., & Kelley, J. (2018). Student health key to academic success. Dayton Daily.

Nabatanzi, V. (Friday, October 25, 2019). Immunisation drive extended to November. Kampala: New Vision.

Gladys S.N Kabanda, Kampala

The writer is an Ass. Director- Busega Prep School

 #Management and Leadership Consultant

#gsnk.consult@gmail.com