LAOS / TETANUS

UNICEF is working in remote locations in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic as a key supporter in preparing for the third round of a national campaign designed to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus by 2012. Lao PDR is one of the few remaining countries in Asia still affected by this disease, which has been a common consequence of unclean deliveries and poor umbilical cord practices. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:17
• Production Date: 11 February 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: HEALTH; DISEASE PREVENTION; DISEASE CONTROL; DISEASES
• Geographic Subject: LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
• MAMS Id: U110211c

Description

STORY: LAOS / TETANUS
TRT:2:17
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: LAO / ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: DECEMBER 2010, BOLLIKHAMXAY PROVINCE, LAO

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, woman walking up a pathway
2. Med shot, health worker opening refrigerator where vaccines are stored
3. Close up, health worker
4. Med shot, health worker puts vaccines in transportable refrigerator
5. Close up, health worker preparing vaccine
6. Med shot, young woman receives vaccine
7. Close up, little girl playing with a shovel in the dirt
8. Close up young malnourished child chews on a dirty bowl
9. Med shot, young mother with her new born child
10. Close up, young boy holds his mothers hand
11.Med shot, young mother holding her child
12. Close up, young ethnic girl stares at the camera.
13. Med shot, woman receiving a vaccination
14. SOUNDBITE (Lao) Mr Bouaphone, villager, Bollikhamxay Province:
“In the past I witnessed many children becoming ill from this disease as we had no way of receiving this vaccine and preventing this disease. Since this campaign has come to our village I can see a change in the health of the community.”
15. Wide shot, young woman carrying two buckets of water.
16. Close up, health worker taking vaccines from a box
17. Med shot, three boys on a wooden balcony of a rural house
18. Med shot, health worker about to give a vitamin A drop to girl
19. Med shot, UNICEF and health workers keeping a record of vaccines
20. SOUNDBITE (Enlgish) Dr Ataur Rahman, UNICEF Lao PDR Immunization Specialist:
“Lao PDR is one of the few remaining countries in Asia to have not yet eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus. Thanks to our donors partners and strong political support we hope this campaign will boost tetanus protection levels throughout the country and help us achieve virtual elimination of this disease.”
21. Wide shot, two young children running after birds
22. Med shot, young boy pushes a homemade device made from two bike tires
23. Close up, young girl
24. Close up, young boy eating traditional Laos food

Storyline

As morning breaks in the province of Bollikhamxay, health workers are making the final preparations for a mass immunization targeting women and children from surrounding villages.
This is the 3rd round of a national campaign designed to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus by 2012.
Tetanus is an often fatal disease caused by unhygienic conditions. In a country where as few as 20 percent of births take place with skilled birth attendants women and their new born children are particularly vulnerable.
Achieving a high turnout is essential and it seems that here in the heart of rural Laos, people understand the importance of protecting themselves against tetanus.
SOUNDBITE (Lao) Mr Bouaphone, villager, Bollikhamxay Province:
“In the past I witnessed many children becoming ill from this disease as we had no way of receiving this vaccine and preventing this disease. Since this campaign has come to our village I can see a change in the health of the community.”
In a country where it can take days to reach the nearest hospital mobile vaccination clinics play a crucial role. Ensuring the vaccine reaches, even the most remote locations.
Working alongside the World Health Organization and Lux Development, UNICEF is a key supporter of this campaign.
SOUNDBITE (Enlgish) Dr Ataur Rahman, UNICEF Lao PDR Immunization Specialist:
“LaoPDR is one of the few remaining countries in Asia to have not yet eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus. Thanks to our donors partners and strong political support we hope this campaign will boost tetanus protection levels throughout the country and help us achieve virtual elimination of this disease.”

Here in one of Asia’s poorest countries, tetanus elimination forms part of a broader government effort to improve the health of women and children. Moving Laos closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and removing yet another risk that may hamper the future of children in LaoPDR.