Palace urges Pinoys to join anti-measles campaign

MANILA, Philippines -  Malacañang urged Filipinos yesterday to take part in the government’s drive to eradicate measles.

The vaccination program, dubbed “Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas,” started last April 4 and runs until May 4.                         

Palace Communications Group Secretary Ricky Carandang, in a press briefing, urged families to take advantage of the opportunity to immunize their children against the diseases. The vaccines would be administered free of charge.

The number of measles cases in the Philippines started rising in 2008. The government targets to immunize 18 million children aged nine months to eight years from the diseases.

“We just want to reiterate to the families that are targeted for this: This is free and you are not going to spend anything, so please allow our health workers to come to your houses and vaccinate your children,” Carandang said. 

Meanwhile, the government has employed some 10,000 new registered nurses for community service nationwide.

Malacañang said the nurses trained under the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Services for six months in rural health units and trained for another six months in hospitals.

They would receive an allowance of P8,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.