Immunisation officers in Enugu State, on Tuesday, applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the prompt and full payment of their stipend for routine immunisation in the state.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state through its Primary Healthcare Centre Development Agency (PHCDA) had successfully concluded three state-wide immunisation and health campaigns since January.
Mr Thomas Agbo, Local Immunisation Officer-in-charge of Enugu North Local Government Area, told NAN in Enugu that Ugwuanyi’s commitment in the payment of the stipend was a huge incentive for immunisation officers and field workers.
Agbo said that the governor and Dr George Ugwu, the Executive Secretary of the state PHCDA, had added fresh impetus and zeal in the way immunisation was being carried out in the state presently.
“The stipend given to the field immunisation officers has been a great motivation for them to carry out the immunisation willingly and religiously,’’ he said.
Mrs Caroline Egbo, Ward Focal Person for Immunisation in Afia Nine Ward in Enugu North LGA, said that the timely logistic-stipend payment had ensured commitment on the part of the immunisation field workers in the ward.
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Egbo said that because of the stipend, the burden of supervision had reduced since the ward immunisation field workers were motivated to carry out instructions and go the extra mile during each exercise.
“I wish to thank the state government and our amiable governor for using the prompt payment of the stipend to cushion the stress of field immunisation officers who work under harsh conditions,” she said.
Mr Jude Nweze, Ward Focal Person for Immunisation in Okpuje-Okutu Ward in Nsukka LGA, said that immunisation field workers and their supervisors were happy over the prompt and regular payment of their stipend.
“This prompt and timely payment by the state government makes the work easy and field officers carry out their work with zeal and happy faces, which further attract children to them,’’ Nweze said.
Also, the state PHCDA boss said that prompt payment of their stipend had helped the state to achieve “more than 100 per cent coverage’’ in the last National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) immunisation against polio last week.
Ugwu said that the NIPDs lasted for four days and an extra mop-up day and that immunisation officers and field workers were highly motivated to carry out the work to the end and ensure that they met and surpassed their target.
According to him, the governor’s commitment to the success of the exercise could be appreciated with his appointment of a high-powered state committee, headed by the deputy governor, and timely payment of immunisation stipends.
“Ugwuanyi has been supportive of all the programmes of the state PHCDA and had given due attention to immunisation meant to check childhood diseases, like polio.
“I must also thank the Governor’s Wife, Monica, for taking the pain to come to launch the campaign at Igbo-Eze South LGA, which gave the exercise the needed boost for a resounding success.
Ugwu also commended Dr Chijioke Asogwa, the Transitional Committee Chairman of the council, for his contribution to the huge success of the programme.
NAN
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