July 18, 2005
UN backs Iraqi health authorities in massive polio vaccination campaign
The United Nations is supporting Iraq's authorities in conducting a massive polio vaccination campaign targeting nearly 5 million children across the country as part of a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering health among the population, reports Relief Web.
"... Social mobilization efforts conducted by the health authorities all over Iraq have been particularly successful and at times extremely creative, involving not just television spots but also the use of loud speakers, banners, flyers, and the mobilization of religious and women's groups.
In an innovative twist, two mobile phone service providers sent text messages to all cell phones dependent on their service to announce the polio immunization days and announce that mobile teams would visit all houses.
Many mothers reported learning about the anti-polio drive through these SMS messages, and UN officials said this support by private companies demonstrated the spirit of corporate civil responsibility emerging in Iraq".
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