Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - With the help of donations from international organizations the Burmese Health Ministry said it will administer polio vaccinations to more than 7 million children across the country.

An official at the Burmese Health Ministry in Naypyitaw said the project to eradicate polio from Burma is supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), Japanese Committee for UNICEF (JCU) and Japanese Committee for Basin (JCB).

"The Government will provide the health workers and the tools," the official elaborated.

The official, who is also a medical doctor, said the project will target at least 7.23 million children under the age of five in 325 townships from all across the country within a period of two months. The vaccine itself will be available on two days - January 10 and February 7.

In 2003, authorities declared Burma as a polio free country. But in 2007 a wild polio virus was discovered in Bhuthitaung and Maungtaw townships of Arakan State in western Burma, leading to the vaccination in November and December of the same year of around 7 million children.

"According to the situation we have been given polio vaccinations and we cannot be sure when the vaccination will again be available, as it depends on funds," added the official.

The campaign will cost at least US$ 5 million say authorities.

According to the official, authorities initiated a polio free campaign in 1989, but it was not until 2003 that it could be announced that Burma was a polio free country. However, the disease has since again found fertile ground in Burma.

In 2008, Burma was included in the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) worldwide top ten list of poor health care systems.

The MSF report said Burma's military government used only 0.3 percent of the country's gross domestic product for health care, amounting to only US$ 0.70 per person in 2007.

HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are said to be the primary killer diseases in Burma.