UNICEF Papua New Guinea’s Post

Almost every day a child in Papua New Guinea dies from meningitis. Families grieve, dreams are lost, and futures are taken away. This is unacceptable - especially when safe and effective vaccines are freely available to every child. We can change this. Make sure your child receives all their routine immunizations. If a dose has been missed, do not wait – visit your nearest health facility as soon as possible. Good hygiene also helps reduce the spread of meningitis. Wash hands regularly with soap and running water, cover coughs and sneezes, and always use toilets. Meningitis can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time, taking a healthy life in a matter of hours. Be alert to the warning signs: high fever, persistent crying due to headache, extreme sleepiness or irritability, vomiting, or stiffness in the body and neck. If your child shows these symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Early treatment can save lives. For those who do survive, meningitis can cause lifelong disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, limb loss or epilepsy, often requiring long-term care and support. Meningitis is not unstoppable. Together, we can protect our children and #DefeatMeningitis. #WorldMeningitisDay