Australia gives RI aid for polio fight

Australia gives RI aid for polio fight

JAKARTA: Australia will provide Indonesia another A$1.3 million
for its polio eradication campaign, said the charge d'affaires at
the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Louise Hand.

The funding will help Indonesia, supported by the World Health
Organization, vaccinate 24.5 million children against polio
during the third round of a national vaccination drive, which
began on Wednesday.

"Australia is supporting activities including door-to-door
immunizations using mobile teams to boost the immunity levels of
children unable to reach health centers," Hand said in a press
release sent to The Jakarta Post.

Hand said Australia would also help the Indonesian government
and UNICEF to raise public awareness about the virus and address
misconceptions about polio vaccination.

Earlier, the Australian government through AusAid provided
A$2.15 million to WHO for Indonesia's polio vaccination campaigns
in May, August and September.

Hand said this new assistance brought Australia's contribution
this year to Indonesia for its polio fight to A$3.45 million. --
JP