Lusangazi District is targeting 25,877 children under the age of five to receive essential health and nutrition services during the first round of the 2026 Child Health Week campaign, running from October 26 to 31. Lusangazi District Director of Health Services Prince Mbiola said…

Lusangazi District is targeting 25,877 children under the age of five to receive essential health and nutrition services during the first round of the 2026 Child Health Week campaign, running from October 26 to 31.

Lusangazi District Director of Health Services Prince Mbiola said the district was also targeting 800 eligible nine-year-old girls for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to protect them against preventable diseases.

Dr Mbiola said the campaign, being held under the theme “Strengthening Community Health Systems: Closing the Last Mile for Every Child,” would provide routine and catch-up immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation for children aged six to 59 months, deworming for children aged 12 to 59 months, nutritional screening, malaria vaccination for eligible children and developmental assessments.

Dr Mbiola said the campaign would also provide management of sick children, health education and early infant diagnosis of HIV where indicated.

“The HPV vaccination will be delivered through school-based and community outreach programmes to reach both school-going and out-of-school girls,” Dr. Mbiola explained.

He said all services would be provided free of charge at health facilities and designated outreach points, including communities, schools and markets.

“Every child deserves a healthy start in life and together we can make this possible,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Lusangazi District Commissioner Margret Zulu called on parents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to support the campaign by mobilising communities and ensuring that children accessed the available services.

Ms. Zulu said collective efforts were needed to reach children who missed essential health services, particularly those in remote communities and families facing challenges in accessing healthcare.

“Every parent wants to see their child grow up healthy and strong. As a community, we also want our children to have the opportunity to grow, learn and achieve their full potential,” she said.

Meanwhile, Lusangazi Council Chairperson Geoffrey Daka encouraged community members to utilise available government health services, saying access to such services was important in promoting healthy living.

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