#HeroesEndingPolio
Carmela,
polio campaign monitor
As one of the monitors for the polio campaign in Aurora province, Carmela checked the compliance of vaccination teams to the standard steps and safety protocols in giving polio drops. She shared that the most challenging aspect of her work was joining the teams in reaching indigenous communities:
“So far, the vaccination teams were able to do their specific work. They followed the procedure. If there were parents who refused to participate, the health workers have been able to convince the parents to have their kids vaccinated.
The challenge for us is reaching remote areas, especially in northern Aurora, where the ethnic group Agta live. It is challenging to convince the indigenous people to vaccinate, even during the routine immunization programme. Our nurses have difficulties in convincing them. Agtas have belief systems that run counter to immunization, but with the right explanation, they eventually agree and are convinced to immunize their children.
To my colleagues, even if we have these difficulties, let’s keep the passion burning, our love for the work we do. Our reason for doing this is to address the polio cases that emerged in several areas in the Philippines. As much as possible, no new cases will anymore be recorded, and that polio will once more be eradicated in the country.”
"Our reason for doing this is to address the polio cases that cropped in several areas in the Philippines. As much as possible, no new cases will anymore be recorded, and that polio will once more be eradicated in the country."
- Carmela