807,000 children to be immunized against measles in Ashanti

Kumasi, Oct 28, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Directorate of Health Services has targeted 807,000 children for immunization against measles and administer to them Vitamin "A" supplementation from November 3-6. The exercise would cover children aged between nine months and five years. It is part of efforts at reducing child mortality as Ghana pursues the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) on health. Dr Joseph Oduro, acting Regional Director of Health Services, said at a press briefing in Kumasi that since the start of the exercise in year 2002, there has been zero child death from measles nationwide. Measles is an airborne disease caused by viral infection and its symptoms include fever, cough, skin rash, runny nose and red eyes and could to lead to complications such as deafness, blindness, malnutrition, pneumonia and death. The acting Regional Director said adequate health personnel including supervisors, vaccinators and volunteers had been mobilized to ensure its success. Dr Oduro called on all mothers to take advantage of the exercise and immunize their wards and children.