Etsako West Council Chairman Flags-off National Immunization Plus Days

Etsako West Council Chairman Flags-off National Immunization Plus Days

By Yusuf Nurudeen.

Etsako West.

15/02/2020

The Chairman, Etsako West Local Government Area, Hon. (Alhaji) Imonofi Inusa on Friday 14th February 2020, flagged-off National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) at Ayogwiri Primary Health Centre, Uzairue.

While addressing the people at the occasion, the Chairman emphasized on the importance of the immunization programme, saying he was highly committed to ensuring that the people of the local government are given quality healthcare.

He said: “We must take immunization against deadly diseases very serious at all levels. Nigeria is at the brink of being declared free from polio disease by the World Health bodies. For about 3 years now, not a single case of polio disease has been recorded. This goes to prove the potency of vaccines against preventable diseases. With the progress made so far, we are hopeful that all preventable priority diseases will soon be eliminated from the nation.”

The Chairman stressed that the immunization exercise will cover ages 0-5 years and last for 4 days, beginning from 15th to 18th February 2020. He therefore urged the people of Etsako West to accept the campaign fully as the government invest in preventive medicine, which is better than curative.

He said the vaccine will be given from house to to house and Primary Health Care Centers across the local government. “We have also deployed special teams to schools, churches, mosques, market places and other places of public gathering. I appeal to parents and caregivers to ensure that their wards take the vaccine within the implementation period.”

In addition, Chairman Imonofi admonished the people to be cautious of Lassa Fever as several case have been reported in the local government. He advised them against spreading garri outside, to always protect their food from exposure to prevent contact with rats and cook very well before consumption. He said necessary provisions have been put in place to handle the situation as the treatment is free, stating that suspicious ailment should be reported to the nearest health care facility for proper attention.

The Director of Primary Health Care Dr. Mathew BES stressed on the need for vaccination against children killer diseases, saying that government have made these vaccines free and available for children to be vaccinated. He said no parent will be happy to see his/her child suffer from preventive diseases. Hence, we should ensure that our children are vaccinated.

High point of the event was the administration of the polio vaccine to children by the Council Chairman.