Health
THE Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and Partners has held a media engagement meeting for the upcoming integrated Measles campaign in the State.
The event was held in the Anambra State Universal Basic Education (ASUBEB) Hall, Awka.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu who was represented at the event by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, Dr Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi noted that the upcoming event was an integration of Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) services.
“This will involve vaccination against Measles, COVID-19, Routine Immunization (RI) and Birth Registration campaign.
“During this period, from October 25th to November 2nd, at all PHCs and designated vaccination sites, childhood vaccines will be given to children aged zero to 23 months, Measles vaccine; nine to 59 months and COVID-19 vaccine; 18 years and above.”
Dr Ezenyimulu emphasized on the importance and need for the populace to be properly sensitized and informed about the programme.
She stressed that the media has an important role to play in the activity because with their aid the populace could be better informed.
“During the campaign, trained healthcare workers will visit Churches, Schools, Markets, Parks and Mosques to vaccinate all eligible persons.
“The media has a role to create awareness and educate the public so that caregivers will make their wards available for vaccination as well as vaccinate themselves against COVID-19.
“The vaccines are free, safe and effective. The exercise will enable us ensure that our children are protected from vaccine preventable diseases,” she added.
The Anambra State Coordinator, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Obioha Agbakwuru solicited for continuous support of the media men in Immunization and health programmes especially towards the upcoming Measles campaign.
Mr. Agbakwuru while commending the Press men, urged them to aid mobilize and sensitize the public to make sure that they were aware and take precautionary measures to ensure that vaccine preventable diseases does not kill anyone in the state.
The WHO Representative, Mr Chris Ezenwanne noted that their aim in the campaign was to ensure that every eligible child of nine to 59 months in Anambra State is reached with the Measles vaccine.
“This year the state has recorded over 500 cases of Measles, so this is not just like any campaign. It is a critical time where we need all children to be protected from the disease.
“We have to do our best in reaching out to everyone while sensitizing and educating them on the importance of the programme,” he said.
Mr Ezenwanne, however, reiterated WHO readiness in supporting the state towards strengthening its healthcare system.
UNICEF Communication for Development Consultant, Mr Mac Kenneth Fisi while appealing for the media support in spreading the vaccination gospel to all corners of the state, assured that UNICEF was present to support and ensure that every child was vaccinated.
While noting that Measles was a dangerous viral disease, Mr Fisi said that COVID-19 vaccination was still ongoing as people 18 years and above could make use of the exercise and get vaccinated against the disease too.
He, further, explained that Immunization was the right of every child and as such no child should be denied of it.
In attendance representatives of various media houses. This include: Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and The Nation Newspapers.
Also, Purity FM, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), 7FM, Omega FM, Tribune, Orient Daily, Odogwu blog, Daily Independent, Sapientia radio, National Light, Blaze FM, News Echo, Ogene FM, News Centre Nigeria, Unizik FM, Odenigbo FM and The Guardian.
Others are Information Officers from the Anambra Ministry of Information. (Ministry of Information.
A.I
Tags: ASPHCDA Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu Mr Chris Ezenwanne Mr. Obioha Agbakwuru NPHCDA UNICEF WHO
