MASS MEASLES VACCINATION DRIVE

The Ministry of Health and Social Services will next week embark on a mass vaccination campaign against measles in the Opuwo Health District of the Kunene Region. The targets for the campaign are all the residents of the Opuwo Health District except pregnant mothers and children under the age of six months. The population of the health district is about 45 000.

The week-long campaign, which starts next Tuesday, ending on February 15, comes in the wake of a prolonged measles outbreak in the Kunene Region. Since the first case was reported on September 19 last year, the number of cases had risen to 1 253 by Monday this week. The disease has killed 15 people while 12 others are admitted at the Isolation Treatment Centre at the Opuwo District Hospital. Minister, Dr Richard Nchabi Kamwi, launched the campaign yesterday and said: “This mass vaccination is required because we have come to realize that people in Opuwo have little or no protection against measles.”

Pray that the outbreak of measles will be stopped and this vaccination campaign will be successful. That all the people will receive the necessary protection. For those who suffer now to be healed and for life in the Opuwo Health District to return to normal.

Source: http://www.newera.com.na
Photo: http://www.republikein.com.na

Preparing the young

We were to leave for Opuwo 750 km to the north west of Namibia on Friday morning to teach a parenting seminar. Just as I was writing the prayer request, I received a message that the visit has been postponed. It seems that schools in that part of the northern Kunene Region are on a program of eccelerated exams. Schools will then close earlier to allow repairs of sanitation. Poor sanitation facilities can cause the outbreak of cholera. Teachers and parents are therefore not available for the parenting seminar at this time.

Please pray for children all over Namibia who are writing exams. Keep the flooded areas of the north in your prayers. Also pray for the people of Opuwo. There are many who love the Lord and who are eager to be equipped in their walk with Him. Pray that the the church will play a major role in preparing the young for a lifelong relationship with God.(Some of our friends from Opuwo seen on the photo above).