The Anambra Government has flagged off its integrated measles campaign across all 21 local government areas of the state.
The ceremony took place at the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) Okpouno, in the Awka South Council Area, on Saturday.
Declaring the ceremony open, the State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, informed the public that the vaccination exercise is free of charge. Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, stated that the programme symbolically demonstrates the state’s readiness to commence active, comprehensive vaccination against preventable diseases that may harm children.
According to him, the vaccination is free at all PHCs across the state, and he encouraged people, particularly nursing mothers, not to hesitate in visiting their nearest PHC. “The measles vaccine will be administered to children aged nine to 59 months,” he added. Immunisation officials have been deployed to all PHCs to ensure effectiveness and transparency.
The governor commended the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and other health partners for their continuous support and urged the Immunisation Coordinator in the state to ensure that vaccines are always available across the 21 LGAs’ health facilities.
In her speech, the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharm Chisom Uchem, also acknowledged WHO, UNICEF, and other health partners for their support in ensuring quality healthcare services in the state. She announced that the exercise is scheduled for November 2nd to 8th, 2024.
The ASPHCDA boss noted that the essence of the Integrated Measles Campaign is to stop the spread of the outbreak, save the lives of young children, and alleviate the burden on the healthcare system in Anambra State.
WHO Coordinator in South East Nigeria, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, expressed happiness that WHO has been part of the process in safeguarding and preserving the lives of Anambra residents. According to Igboekwu, the measles campaign promotes primary health, which is the foundation of a strong health system and the most viable pathway for health security and universal health coverage.
“What we are doing here today is a tri-partite partnership between the communities, the state government, and the development partners. Before the end of Governor Soludo’s administration, we will elevate the healthcare system in Anambra to a level where other states and countries in the world can come and study what is happening in the state,” the coordinator stated.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Awka South Council Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, represented by the council health supervisor, Hon. Frank Ajezu, and the Councillor of Okpouno ward, Hon. Kenneth Okonkwo, urged mothers and carers to ensure their wards participate in the vaccination exercise. They noted that the people of the area will fully engage in the programme and promised to publicise the initiative across the communities that constitute the council area.
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