Impact Of The Finding Of Polio Cases, Ministry Of Health Will Hold Mass Immunization In Aceh

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JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) will soon hold mass immunizations in Aceh starting November 28. This step was taken after the discovery of a type two polio case in Pidie Regency experienced by a seven-year-old child.

"We will break the response, namely immunization and also routine immunization coverage we will increase and in Pidie we will do it on November 28," said Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) Maxi Rein Rondonuwu in a press conference broadcast on the Indonesian Ministry of Health's YouTube, Saturday, November 19.

Maxi said this activity is expected to be completed within a week. After that district, the Ministry of Health will target children in other Aceh Province areas.

"And on December 5, we hope that all regencies/cities in the Aceh region," he explained.

"The vaccine is ready to break the response. We will start in Pidie City on the 28th. It is hoped that all children under 13 years old (can be immunized, ed). We have asked our Dukcapil to withdraw per village every Saturday-Sunday," continued Maxi.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health will also conduct surveillance or data collection to other health facilities. Maxi explained that this step was taken to find cases of polio that had not been reported.

The Ministry of Health ensures that this case is a concern for the government. The response will be implemented soon.

Previously, a child in Pidie Regency, Aceh was declared to have had a type two polio. He initially had a fever and flu on October 6.

Furthermore, symptoms of onset paralyzed on the leg were felt on October 9. The child was then taken to TCD Sigil Hospital on October 18.

The doctor who examined him then took two samples which were then sent to the province and Jakarta for testing. As a result, the child tested positive for polio on November 10.

The child is experiencing a braking condition in the thigh muscles and he has never received immunization. The Ministry of Health said the child had improved his condition but he had to undergo physiotherapy to maintain muscle mass.