World Vision rolls out anti-polio campaign in Phuket

PHUKET: The Phuket office of the World Vision Foundation in Thailand, operating under the Supanimit Foundation, yesterday stepped up its anti-polio campaign, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) push to eradicate the disease.

Supanimit Foundation workers, joined by Phuket Provincial Public Health Office officials, targeted Burmese communities in and around Phuket Town and elsewhere around Phuket.

The anti-polio task force – which also included many members from Phuket Rotary clubs – divided into three main teams to cover Phuket Town, Kathu and Thalang, Supanimit Foundation officer Surachet Thummanon told the Phuket Gazette.

“The Phuket City team divided into two groups. Myself and two Burmese officers from Front Social Network covered the Rassada community, Saphan Hin and behind the main branch of Super Cheap.

“The other teams, which also included FSN workers, covered outside Phuket Town,” he explained.

“My team administered anti-polio vaccines to more than 180 kids in three communities,” Mr Surachet added.

Although the teams started their rounds at 7am, many Burmese children were not at home because their parents took their children with them to work.

“We will return in the evening to cover the rest of the children,” Mr Surachet said.

The teams will continue their anti-polio campaign in Phuket on January 18, he added.

— Chutharat Plerin