Sea nomads prioritized

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The province promised to prioritize children of the Bajau ethnic group, a nomadic people in the region, in its last day of the National Immunization Program (PIN) on Oct. 7, Antara reported.

The agency quoted Dr. Mohammad Ali of the local health office as saying that the Bajau constantly moved from one island to another, so that it became a problem to contact them.

"We never had a problem reaching the other ethnic groups because they already knew the aim of this polio immunization program," he said.

Usually the sea nomads choose rich fishing waters because they work as fishermen. They process their salted fish and then move on to places where they can market their goods.

The authorities have to monitor the group's movements and have advised them to stay in one place at the time they are scheduled to receive immunizations.

"We recruit health officials from the Bajau group in order to facilitate communication," Ali said.

The first round of polio and measles immunizations for children under five years old was held on Aug. 2. For the second round, health officials have started informing the sea nomads to come to the floating post on Oct. 7.

There are 2,110 immunization posts in 839 villages in Southeast Sulawesi, which are supported by 2,034 health officials and 6,511 volunteers.

They will give polio vaccines to 204,800 babies under five years old; measles immunizations to 26,107 babies; and tetanus immunizations to 53,625 women between the ages of 15 and 39.

Authorities have distributed 28,158 vials of polio vaccine; 5,220 vials of measles vaccine; 9,835 vials of Tetanus Toxoid vaccine; and freezers and thermos bottles. (swe)