DOHA: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has organised a series of activities as part of the ‘Immunisation Week’ campaign being organised by the Supreme Council of Health.
The campaign focuses on preventive measures against diseases such as measles, rubella, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria and influenza.
Airport Health Center held a lecture for parents to inform about the importance of being vaccinated and the timings that they should follow in the growing of their kids.
Dr Azzam Ashour, PHCC Consultant Paediatrician explained that vaccination saves lives of more than 3 million people worldwide each year and prevents millions of others from suffering diseases and permanent disabilities.
“Vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, infect children, and getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent it. The vaccine contains live viruses that can no longer cause disease.” he added.
Madinat Khalifa Health Center organised an event with 22 students from Qatar Independent Kindergarten where they attended a lecture emphasising on the importance of being vaccinated. Dr Ahmed Mohamed El Deraee, PHCC Specialist Paediatrician, highlighted the importance of vaccines to protect ourselves by preparing the immune system to recognise and fight serious diseases.
Also, he clarified that measles can be more serious than what people think. “About one out of 10 children with measles also get an ear infection, and up to one out of 20 gets pneumonia. About one out of 1,000 gets encephalitis, and one or two out of 1,000 die,” he added.
Other health centres such as Mesaimeer, Abu Nakhle, Umm Ghuwalina and Al Shamal are, as well, celebrating the Immunisation Week campaign with the same goal of stopping measles and eradicate it by 2015.
PHCC is diligently working to combat the preventable diseases among the community and improve the healthcare system in Qatar. The Peninsula
