The Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to combat polio virus, morbidity and mortality rates by providing vaccines that would improve the wellbeing of children and women.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker gave this indication during the flag-off ceremony of the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) and Optimized Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week Campaign held at the Primary Health Center, Kugba, Abeokuta.
Coker, according to Mrs. Fatimah Alatishe, Press Officer PHCDB, posited that the vaccination and immunization exercises were to protect children against Wild Polio Virus and other childhood killer diseases that might pose as threat to lives of children in the State.
She stated that the exercise which has commenced on Friday November 10 and will end on Tuesday 14, 2023 for children between ages 0-5 years.
The Commissioner, who noted that the vaccines are free and safe, saying immunization for children would be house-house, while pregnant women and children would receive health services such as Vitamin A and Multiple Micronutrients supplements, deworming tablets, routine immunization among other at the Primary Health facilities across the State.
She therefore enjoined parents/guardians to support government’s efforts by ensuring that their children receive doses of the immunization, urging pregnant women to improve their health to reduce morbidity and mortality rates by keying into the health services provided the government.
Contributing, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola said the State has not recorded polio outbreak in the past 14years, appealing to mothers to make their children available as immunization is to safeguard and not destroy their lives.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Abeokuta South Local Government, Hon. Omolaja Majekodunmi, represented by the Supervisor for Health, Hon. Gafar Abd’Kareem, appreciated the State government for its commitment at ensuring that mothers and children have access to quality health care services, promising to complement the efforts.
In their goodwill messages, representatives of WHO, UNICEF, NPHCDA, Rotary Club district 9110, SOLINA Health, SYDANI Group and AFENET, commended the State government for its unwavering support in polio eradication, pledging their continued backing in ensuring mothers and children have affordable and quality health care services.
