26 World Heolth • 48th Year, No. 1, January-February 1995 No pain, no gain Juan M. Flavier

aria, a chubby nation, or in the form of and carefree streamers and snacks for Mtwo-year-old, volunteers, and funds for was eagerly awaiting her syringes and vaccines. turn for her patak, her The most important two drops of oral polio support came from the vaccine. She could still frontline health workers. remember how peculiar The vaccinations took the taste was. This is place where people going to be her fourth would usually congre­ patak. Her Aunt Loleng gate- in schools, was affected by this dis­ churches, train and bus ease and she goes around stations, airports, piers, with a heavy limp. The waiting-rooms, day-care Or Juan Flavier (second from the left) plays his part in the polio vaccination thought of last month's campaign. centres, shopping malls, scene when some popular restaurants, mu­ children cried after getting their but today she was trying to be an nicipal and city halls and the houses measles injections made Maria example. "Come on, mother. of vi ll age captains or councillors. somewhat apprehensive. She could Remember, it's just like an ant's bite. One local city mayor even waylaid remember her mother's encourage­ Remember, no pain, no gain," Maria all incoming provincial buses in ment: "Come on, children. It's all and Clara both said with a laugh. order to persuade the travellers to be right. It 's just like an ant's bite. It's immunized. nothing really. Remember, no pain, The response was overwhelming. no gain." Everyone was involved More than nine mi lli on children But today her mother assured her received OPV; six million received and her seven-year-old sister Clara It was 16 March 1994, and all over measles vaccines; and nine million that there would be no pain. Only the the Philippines in more than 60 000 women received tetanus toxoid. women would be given anti-tetanus vaccination centres there were simi­ Armed political dissidents responded injections to protect their future new­ lar lines and activities such as these by declaring a unilateral ceasefire to born babies against neonatal tetanus. in the Lanuza Health Centre. Every­ enable health workers to reach chil­ Clara was enjoying the fiesta-like at­ one was involved- not only the local dren in far-flung areas; some rebel mosphere in the vaccination centre. health workers and local volunteers, groups came down from their moun­ She explained. "Today is National but students, boy scouts and girl tain hideouts to bring their children Immunization Day, like earlier this scouts, civic organizations like the for vaccination. year and twice last year. It's an event Rotary and Lions, professional and Indeed, everyone was involved. for bringing children to the health medical societies, the business sec­ It was one activity that made the centres for vaccinations so they don't tor, nongovernmental organizations, Filipinos feel proud, and united. For get sick. It's our government's effort the drug companies, and even movie some, it was the first time they felt to rid the country of this disease stars, singers and sports stars, and they had a government that cared. which causes the limp and other di s­ politicians - from governors to The long queues were there. The abilities." mayors and vi ll age councillors. chaos, the sweat, the children's wail­ Now Maria eagerly opened her The message was carried by tele­ ing and tears. But everyone was mouth to get her OPV and Vitamin A vision and radio stations, in news­ happy and fulfi lled. Everyone was drops. She heard the midwife tell her papers and magazines, and even in unmindful of the pain. Everyone re­ mother to bring her back next year on advertisements for foodstuffs and alized the gain. • 15 February and 15 March for her soaps. The major streets and high­ next doses. That will be easy to re­ ways all carried streamers announc­ member because 15 February is her ing the National Immunization Day. birthday. Then it was her mother's Support from international and local Or juan Flavier is Secretary of Health, tum to get her anti-tetanus injections. agencies came in various forms­ Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, She was actually afraid of injections manpower and information dissemi- Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines.