By Moses Morenikeji
In a novel approach to public health, the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, OYSPHCB, and UNICEF have turned to football to combat vaccine hesitancy and low child immunisation rates.
They organised a tournament specifically to engage men, who are often the key decision-makers, in preventing vaccination.
The final match of the competition, tagged “Kick Zero Dose and Polio Away, One Goal at a Time,” took place at the Ebedi Stadium in Iseyin.
Iseyin United FC won the tournament, defeating New Starlet FC of Ibadan with a single goal.
Before the game, health officials led by OYSPHCB Executive Secretary, Dr Muideen Olatunji, visited the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola.
They sought the traditional ruler’s support to promote routine immunisation in his domain.
Dr Olatunji highlighted the success of immunisations in reducing child mortality, recalling a time when infant death, or Abiku, was rampant due to ignorance.
He also announced an upcoming integrated Measles Rubella vaccination campaign scheduled for October 4th to 14th, targeting over three million children across Oyo State.
Explaining the football strategy, UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, stated, “One of the gaps we have identified is that most times, women are saddled with the responsibility of taking their children for vaccination, but if we don’t get the consent of fathers, we may not be able to get enough children immunised.”
She noted that mothers often cite a lack of paternal consent as the reason for vaccine refusal.
“That is the reason why we are using the football tournament as a tool to drag men to become actively involved,” Mrs Akinola-Akinwole added.
Oba Oyebola pledged his community’s active participation in immunisation drives, stating that only healthy children can excel in sports.
The event successfully used the universal appeal of football to bridge a critical gap in Nigeria’s healthcare outreach.
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