Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo has expressed concern over the low uptake of immunization in the state and urged mothers to prioritize the health and future of their children.
Mrs. Soludo made the appeal at the 2nd Anambra State Women’s Health Summit, organized under her Healthy Living Initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), held in Awka.
She emphasized the importance of immunization in protecting children from lifelong illnesses.
“I’m not happy to hear that our state is recording low in immunisation uptake. Mothers need to create time and take their children to health facilities to get them vaccinated.
“These childhood vaccines are free, safe and effective. Mothers should see immunisation as a top priority because when your child is healthy, you are free from stress and expenses experienced when a child is ill.
“Since Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration started the free antenatal and delivery policy, Anambra is now one of the states with the lowest maternal mortality. We want to record same in the area of immunisation too,” she said.
She also encouraged women to embrace their natural skin color and avoid spending excessively on bleaching creams.
“Instead of spending so much on bleaching creams, women should spend more on regular health checks, eating balanced diets and engaging in regular exercises to stay fit and healthy,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Uju Obiagwu of the WHO, lamented that immunisation coverage was gradually reducing in Anambra.
“The state government is doing so much in partnership with WHO to ensure availability of all the childhood vaccines across the health facilities but we are not happy that the uptake is low.
“These vaccines help to prevent acute paralysis, measles, polio, meningitis, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera and neonatal tetanus.
“We recorded several outbreaks of Measles at Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru and Ayamelum, because they do not take their children to the hospital for immunisation.
“Our mothers have a huge role to play in ensuring that children in Anambra are vaccinated. So, spread the message in your various communities to help our children live heathier and longer lives, ” she said.
Dr. Mohamed Bonos, Anambra State Coordinator for WHO, praised the state government for fostering an environment conducive to improving public health.
In his presentation, Prof. Brian Adinma, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, urged women to prioritize their reproductive health.
Dr. Afam Obidike, the state’s Commissioner for Health, stated that the health summit demonstrated the state government’s commitment to the welfare of women and children.
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