Luanda - The head of National Health Immunization Department, Alda Morais, said one of the initiatives to stamp out neonatal tetanus is to achieve 80 percent coverage of vaccination in childbearing age women with three additional doses and promote a clean birth in health facilities.
 

Alda Morais said this Wednesday at informal meeting of the Health Ministry (MINSA), World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN Children Fund (UNICEF) on the elimination of tetanus.

According to the official, over the years there was a significant reduction recorded in 2008 with 79 cases, and 2011, with only 25.

The official said that the Government efforts focussed on vaccination coverage accounted for the drop of the cases.

She also noted that neonatal tetanus is still a major public problem as it stands among the main causes of neonatal mortality.

Alda Morais explained that currently 40 countries have not yet got rid of tetanus, mainly those in Asia and Africa, including Angola.