The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Healthcare Commission (CBCP-ECHC) is encouraging the public to support the Department of Health ( DOH) initiatives and objectives.
The ChikitingLigtas 2023 project, commonly known as the Measles and Rubella Vaccine-Oral Polio Vaccine (MRV-OPV) supplemental immunization effort, aimed to boost childhood vaccination against vaccine- preventable illnesses (VPDs).
Camillian Father Dan Cancino, executive secretary of CBCP-ECHC, believes that it is critical to give additional protection for children in order to shield them from the impacts of communicable diseases.
“Maraming mga parokyang ayon sa iba’t ibang diyosesis ang nakikilahok dito sa Chikiting Ligtas na ito. Kaya para sa akin, ito ‘yung pagpapalaganap ng proper information sa kahalagahan ng ating kabataan. Ito ang paglahok natin para sa pagpapalaganap ng tamang impormasyon sa mga magulang at sa ating buong komunidad,” as stated by Fr. Cancino with Radyo Veritas
The priest admits that the provision of immunizations to children has been hampered by the country’s continuing COVID-19 pandemic, as the government has prioritized the COVID-19 vaccination effort.
Nonetheless, Fr. Cancino told the government that the church will aid the government in telling the public about the ChikitingLigas campaign and its importance for children’s health.
“Kaya tayo sa simbahan, nagpapalaganap tayo ng tamang impormasyon tungkol sa Chikiting Ligtas naito. Marami na rin sa ating mga parokya ang nakikilahok sa mga local government units, rural health units, at municipal health offices para mapalaganap natin itong mga impormasyon. At ‘yung iba nga ay nagiging venue para maging vaccination sites para sa mga bata,”Fr. Cancino explained to Radyo Veritas
Within two weeks of the campaign’s inception, nearly 5,3 million youngsters had received VPD vaccinations, according to DOH figures.
Children aged nine months to five years can receive measles and rubella immunizations, while children aged five and under receive the Polio vaccine.
There were 50,000 documented cases of measles in 2019, resulting in 637 deaths. Four children died from Polio-related causes the same year. (Luis Angelo Sta. Maria/Volunteer Writer/San Felipe Neri Parish)
