Health Minister Musab Al-Ali announced on Sunday the discovery of two polio cases among two children in the Al-Mayadin area of Deir Ezzor Governorate, stressing that protecting Syrian children is a major responsibility that the Ministry attaches great importance to through vaccination programs. The Minister held a press conference attended by WHO Syria Representative Caroline Clarinval and UNICEF Syria Representative Meritxell Relanyo Arana to provide a briefing on the Ministry's efforts to combat the disease.
Al-Ali clarified that health teams have begun fieldwork, identified high-risk areas, and initiated necessary interventions to reach children who have not received any previous vaccine doses, noting that more than 34,000 children under the age of five were vaccinated during the first campaign in the area where the report came from in Deir Ezzor. He pointed out that the Ministry continues to monitor suspected cases, conduct necessary and field examinations, and review the scope of interventions based on available data, ensuring that health personnel efforts are directed to the most needy areas.
For her part, WHO Syria Representative Caroline Clarinval stated that the organization is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to assess the situation on the ground and ensure an appropriate response, noting that the vaccination process has already begun since the detection of the two cases and will be strengthened. UNICEF Syria Representative Meritxell Relanyo Arana confirmed that the discovery of the polio virus in Deir Ezzor highlights the importance of strengthening the immunization system and ensuring that life-saving vaccines reach all children.
Al-Ali added, calling on parents to visit the nearest health center to ensure vaccination completion, especially in areas that the Ministry will announce successively, pointing out that polio vaccines are safe and effective and are used in all countries worldwide. UNICEF also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the national response, enhancing disease surveillance, and ensuring that children, especially those not vaccinated within routine programs, receive the necessary protection.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)