MARAWI CITY (PIA)—The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a campaign, May 2, to promote the supplemental immunization activity, Chikiting Ligtas: Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine (MR-OPV SIA), for the safety and protection of Bangsamoro children. 

The campaign targets children aged 0–59 months old for oral poliovirus and 9–59 months old for the measles–rubella vaccine. It will run until May 31, 2023.

The MOH aims to achieve 95% coverage of children in the Bangsamoro region for the said immunization.

Measles and polio are contagious diseases that can cause severe complications, such as pneumonia, ear infections (otitis media), conjunctivitis, diarrhea, encephalitis, malnutrition, and death in children.

MOH Deputy Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas emphasized the important role of the Bangsamoro stakeholders to advocate for and encourage the Bangsamoro parents and families to bring their children to nearby health centers.

The vaccines are available through fixed post sites, such as the Barangay Health Stations (BHS) and Rural Health Units (RHU), house-to-house visits, and mobile clinics.

According to Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama, Jr., the vaccines are safe, effective, and free and have undergone studies by experts for quality and effectiveness.

Dr. Dumama urged everyone to address the problem by protecting their loved ones, especially their children, from measles and polio.

"Ibigay natin sa mga kabataan ang protection na hatid ng mga bakunang ito. Kailangan natin sulusyunan ang problemang ito. Huwag sana nating hayaan na tamaan nitong sakit (MR-OPV SIA) ang ating mga mahal sa buhay at lalong-lalo na ang ating mga anak," Dumama said.

(Let's give young people the protection these vaccines bring. We need to solve this problem. Let's not let this disease (MR-OPV SIA) hit our loved ones, especially our children)

The MOH Regional Immunization Program Nurse Coordinator Ron Aray and stakeholders, such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Special Geographic Area (SGA), Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR), and other officials, signed a commitment to support the campaign. (BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)