THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1993
TETANUS VACCINATION PROGRAMME SET UP FOR DRUG ABUSERS
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED ALL DRUG ABUSERS TO COME FORWARD AND RECEIVE TETANUS VACCINE FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION.
THE CALL WAS MADE FOLLOWING THE SETTING UP OF A TETANUS VACCINATION PROGRAMME FOR DRUG ABUSERS IN VIEW OF THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TETANUS CASES AMONG THEM.
A TOTAL OF 25 PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM TETANUS WERE ADMITTED INTO HOSPITALS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1 AND DECEMBER 22, ALL WITH A HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE BY INJECTION.
TEN PATIENTS HAVE DIED, 14 OTHERS ARE STILL HOSPITALISED AND ONLY ONE HAS BEEN DISCHARGED,
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (SPECIAL HEALTH SERVICES), DR PY LAM, SAID: "VACCINATION IS AN EFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURE AGAINST THE RISK OF TETANUS FOR DRUG ABUSERS WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE DISEASE.
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THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, HAS WORKED OUT A PROGRAMME THE PREVENTION OF TETANUS AMONG DRUG ABUSERS.
ON
THE PROGRAMME COVERS EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, IMMUNISATION AND DISEASE SURVEILLANCE.
"EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WILL BE STRENGTHENED ΤΟ PROMOTE AWARENESS AMONG DRUG ABUSERS OF THE RISK OF TETANUS INFECTION AND THE NEED TO RECEIVE VACCINATION.
ALL
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"STARTING FROM JANUARY 1, VACCINATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT METHADONE CLINICS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS, DR LAM SAID.
DRUG ABUSERS
JOINING THE REHABILITATION
PROGRAMME OF OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CAN ALSO OBTAIN VACCINATION AT THE METHADONE CLINICS.
DR LAM POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL TO AMEND THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE ORDINANCE EARLIER THIS MONTH, TETANUS WOULD SOON BECOME A NOTIFIABLE DISEASE.
THIS WOULD STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING REPORTING SYSTEM AND ENABLE EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF DISEASE CONTROL MEASURES, HE SAID.
A
HOTLINE ON TETANUS
IMMUNISATION SERVICE
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835 1831 OR 835 1834 WILL BE IN OPERATION DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM JANUARY 3.
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