Thirty-six children under the age of 10 were immunised against polio after Sabbath service at the 15-Mile Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bisiatabu District, Port Moresby.
The vaccination drive took place immediately after the worship service and was conducted by community health worker Nancy Lawai, who reminded parents of the importance of protecting children against preventable diseases.
“Churches are trusted spaces where families gather, so bringing health services here helps us reach more children and keep them safe,” Mrs Lawai said.
Parents expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying it gave them confidence that their children were shielded from polio. The church also welcomed the collaboration as part of its mission to care for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of its members.
The program formed part of a wider community campaign to eradicate polio and ensure that every child has access to vital healthcare.
Polio is a serious and infectious disease can cause paralysis and death. While many countries and regions have been declared polio free, through a rigorous immunisation program, polio remains active in a number of regions. In 2000, polio was declared to have been officially eliminated in 37 Western Pacific countries, including China and Australia. However, according to the ABC, more than 31 cases of polio have been detected in Papua New Guinea since the disease re-emerged earlier this year.
