Sophie Njoka @PeopleDailyKe
A health crisis is looming in Coast region as most hospitals face a shortage of Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine that protects children against diseases such as tuberculosis and meningitis.
There are cases of newborns reportedly staying for three months without receiving the life-saving vaccine. Mariam Abudulli, who delivered three months ago at the Coast General Hospital, told the People Daily that her child is yet to be immunised as the health facility has run out of the vaccine even.
This come even as it emerged the shortage is being experienced across the country. “We are advising mothers of newborns to look for the vaccine in private hospitals. KEMSA has told us to wait for supply,” said Coast General Hospital chief administrator Dr Iqbal Kwandwalla.
The vaccine is usually given for free at government hospitals, but private facilities charge between Sh2,500 and Sh3,500 for the same. The health ministry acknowledged the shortage, saying the vaccine was procured in September through the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), but there were delays in delivery.
“We placed an order of 4.7 million doses through Unicef, which was supposed to last six months. It is an international shortage,” said Health Cabinet secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu (pictured).
The post Alarm as shortage of essential BCG vaccine hits Coast hospitals appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.