12.04.2018- Today, thanks to the reporting and raising concerns of the Free Legal Aid Office for Vulnerable Children and Youth in Albania at the Regional Health Authority (ASHR) and the Directorate of Public Health ( DFS), 50 children from Roma community were vaccinated to be protected from measles in the Administrative Unit no. 6 in Kombinat.
CRCA Albania urgently requested from the Regional Health Authority (ASHR) and the Public Health Directorate (DFS) to inspect, evaluate and take measures for the aggravated situation of 18 Roma families in Kombinat, due to the lack of drinking water. The lack of drinking water for more than a year has brought significant problems with the hygiene and have spread the epidemic in these families! Some children are affected by measles and various contagious infections; 52 children of Roma community are affected by parasites; the presence of mice and insects has increased in the barracks and residences of the roma families; as well as two people are in critical condition for life as a result of the epidemic.
For all above, yesterday the ASHR and DFS employees have disinfected 18 residences and barracks of Roma families, to continue today with the vaccination of 50 children with measles vaccine, in order to protect them from a possible epidemic in the hot summer months. In the days ahead CRCA Albania will assist the vaccination of 100 other people in the area of Qelq Street in Kombinat!
Along with primary care and primary health care services, the Free Legal Aid Office for Vulnerable Children and Youth in Albania is working to conclude contracts to supply with drinking water the 18 families, cooperating with relevant bodies such as the General Directorate of Water Supply and Municipality of Tirana and Administrative Unit No.6.
For more information, please contact: Klaudio Pulaha, Children’s Human Rights Center in Albania, tel: 067 500 20 21, E-mail: klaudio.pulaha@crca.al