The Lakes State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the national health ministry and its partners, last Friday launched a 5-day measles vaccination campaign targeting 297,867 children aged 0-5 years.
The state’s acting health minister, Poth Majak, thanked the government and health partners for coming up with the initiative and urged parents to take their children for vaccination.
“We thank the health ministry and UNICEF for bringing this campaign at this important time because we are approaching the rainy season, during which many cases are reported. The health teams will go to designated areas, so bring your children to be vaccinated against measles,” he said. “We assure you of security during the campaign and appreciate UNICEF for always standing with our people. We also urge other partners to continue doing their best because there are several disease outbreaks.”
For her part, UNICEF representative Dr. Kawa Koul said UNICEF is committed to its partnership with the national health ministry to provide essential health services and improve primary health care.
“UNICEF is committed to ensuring that the chain is functional, vaccines are available, and that we reach all children. This is a collective responsibility, and I am very glad to see that what is happening today (Friday) after a very long preparation from the health sector in Lakes State,” she said. “Let us make sure that all the children who are the target are vaccinated against measles. We all know measles is a fatal disease, and it affects children.”
Meanwhile, Maker Malok, the Director General in the Lakes State Ministry of Health, said measle is a public health concern because it has affected many children in the first four months of 2025 in different counties.
“We have recorded 32 measles cases in Rumbek East County, 27 in Rumbek Central County, 12 in Cueibet County and 1 in Wulu County where a sample was collected and we are still waiting for the results,” he reported, and added: “In the next plan, we are requesting the national health ministry to let us increase the number of teams so that the few teams are not too burdened and all communities are reached.”