Health

Immunization: Osun Targets over 1.5m Babies

By Web News 522

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has flagged off the National Immunization Plus Days, NIPDs, programme for babies between ages of 0-59 months in Osogbo, with a charge to nursing mothers to take advantage of the programme to get their children vaccinated.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi at the immunization flag-off, said Osun State has been leading in the previous campaign due to co-operation of parents and caregivers in the State.

The Governor disclosed that one million four hundred and ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred and thirty-four (1,499,734) were immunized in December, 2023, revealing that the target for September campaign is one million five hundred and thirty thousand, two hundred and ninety-five (1,530,295).

Governor Adeleke said that his administration has been supporting the Immunization activities through release of counterpart fund as well as monitoring and supervision of health care services across  the State.

While pointing out that no new case of Polio infection has been recorded in the last few years, the Governor however acknowledged that recent tests have however found traces of the virus in some stools sampled.

In his welcome address the Chairman Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Mr. Adisa Tajudeen appreciated the Governor for his commitment to the health and well-being of Osun people.

Mr. Adisa added that the importance of vaccination to children in the State can not be overstated as it has saved countless livers, thereby preventing disability and suffering in our society.

The exercise, aimed at giving two drops of the Novel Oval Polio Vaccine to children within age 0 to 59 months, irrespective of their previous immunization status, is scheduled to hold between 30th September and 2nd October, 2023.

Health

We’ll intensify immunization against child killer disease – Oyo Commissioner

By Web News 732

By Nafiu Busari

Despite claiming many lives and the threats posed by Diphtheria in the Country, Oyo State has not recorded any case of the disease in recent years. 

This was attributed to immense resources and protective measures put in place by the Oyo state government and her development partners. 

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Bode Ladipo, stated this in Ibadan at a news conference to declare open the Lassa fever and diphtheria week.

Dr Ladipo explained that Oyo state has had its own share of the challenges posed by Diphtheria and Lassa fever in the Country. 

According to the Commissioner, Oyo state will continue to maintain its diphtheria-free status by ensuring that all eligible children receive routine immunization against it and other killer childhood diseases. 

He urged the residents of the state to take every measure to keep rats away from their homes and ensure proper storage of food. 

Dr Ladipo called on public officials to continue to maintain high standards in public healthcare delivery and the development of sound health policies to promote health. 

In a remark, Oyo State Coordinator, USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Mrs Oluwatoyin Afachung who observed low sensitization on Lassa fever and Diphtheria, promised to embark on an aggressive media campaign against the diseases.

She also revealed that town hall meetings will be organized in the affected local governments in the state and train teachers on how to curtail the spread of the diseases. 

The Oyo state facilitator UNICEF, Mr Tari Akpandara promised improved partnership with the state government to ensure good public health.

 

Health

Ibadan Residents Laud Yellow Fever Immunization Initiative

By Web News 747

Apart from the global Covid-19 pandemic, another health challenge facing the country is yellow fever as being experienced in some states of the country.

This informed the Federal Government’s decision to carry out mass immunization against the disease having identified it as an effective means of disease prevention.

The ten days exercise, which spans through the local government areas of the state, is spear headed by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, with support from the World Health Organization

Speaking on the exercise, the team leader in Alakia Adegbayi Area of Ibadan, Mrs Mujidat Olosho, urged residents to avail themselves for the exercise

Mrs Olosho said babies from nine months and adults up to forty four years were eligible while nursing and expectant mothers were exempted.

Some residents, who appreciated the gesture, asked for extension of the program to cover all Nigerians.

Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by infected mosquitos causing diseases such as fever, jaundice or even death

Anthonia Akanji

Health

Ondo Govt. Enhances Immunisation against Child Killer Diseases

By Web News 800

Ondo State Government says it has increased number of days and duration for immunization against child killer diseases.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro made this known in Akure at a one day media sensitisation workshop on measles. 

Dr Adegbenro said the step became necessary as all attention had now shifted to the prevention and treatment of the rampaging coronavirus at the detriment of other vaccine preventable diseases such polio, measles among others.

He said immunisation days in government hospitals across Ondo State had been increased from three to five days while it was now three days in maternity centres as against the initial one day.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Francis Akanbiemu had urged mothers in the state to present their children for immunisation as the health facilities had been adequately protected against Covid-19 infection.

Dr Akanbiemu, who hinted that Ondo State had achieved eighty five percent immunisation against measles, said there were enough vaccines for all child killer diseases.

The sensitisation workshop which attracted journalists in the state was organised by the Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with UNICEF.

Bukola Bardi