Health

Oyo State, UNICEF Use Football to Tackle Vaccine Hesitancy

By Web News 510

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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Health

Covid-19: No reason to be scared of vaccination – Expert

By Web News 1075

An expert in Reproductive and Family Health, Mrs Abiola Adefolaju has advised Nigerians to take the complete dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Mrs Adefolaju stated this in Ibadan at a forum for stakeholders on Covid-19.

She noted that avoiding taking the Covid-19 vaccine due to fear of adverse reactions was improper as the vaccine was safe and effective.

Mrs Adefolaju urged those who has any adverse reaction to the vaccine to visit where they were vaccinated to get immediate relief.

Similarly, the Director Logistics, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Mr Kehinde Olabode said some of the challenges being encountered in the process of the Covid-19 vaccination are already being addressed.

Stakeholders at the event included Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs, religious leaders as well as the media.

Lillian Ibomor

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Religion

Don’t let Ramadan deter you from getting your Covid-19 jabs – Islamic Scholars

By Web News 1201

Muslims should not let Ramadan fast prevent them from getting a Covid-19 jab.

This was the submission of Islamic scholars at a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan on Ramadan and Vaccination organized by Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with with Breakthrough Action Nigeria.

According to Sheikh Salaudeen Busairy, islamic scholars have agreed that taking jab during Ramadan fast can not break it because vaccine pass through the muscle rather than the bloodstream and not nutritious.

lSimilarly, Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Abdussalam of Bodija Muslim Community said the Quran posited that to save one life is to save the whole of humanity, hence it is a responsibility of a practising Muslim to take the vaccine.

He enjoined Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board to ensure that vaccination centres are closer to people to boost take up among minority communities.

n her contribution, the Amirah, Federation of Muslim Womens Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN, Oyo State chapter, Dr Bushroh Olosho urged muslims to get vaccinated to protect their future.

n official of Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Mr Olukayode Akinpelu said the meeting was intended to provide islamic backing to encourage taking Covid-19 jab during Ramadan.

In a welcome address, Oyo State coordinator, Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N), Mrs Toyin Afachung, advocated the support of Islamic scholars in promoting vaccination.

Nafiu Busari

Health News

No Death Record On Covid19 In Oyo: Dr Olatunji

By Web News 696

Executive Secretary,  Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji says Nigeria has not recorded any death since the beginning of the application of COVID-19 vaccines.

He stated this in Ibadan at a high level sensitization  programme for religious leaders on efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines organised by interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace.

Dr Olatunji noted that the vaccine is effective and different reactions  experienced by those that had taken it was normal as it was building their immunities stressing that there had not been any severe case that led to death in the country.

He dispelled as rumors the Information making the round on the negative effects of the vaccines as they had no scientific basis as they were fabricated  to discourage people from taking the vaccines.

The Co-Chairman, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Alhaji Kunle Sanni said the programme was organised to sensitize religious leaders on the potency of the vaccine so as to convince their subjects on the importance of taking it.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria,  Oyo State Chapter, Apostle Joshua Akinyemi  said preventing harm is part of essence of religion and urged people to  have the belief in government’s efforts to control coronavirus.

Two participants who urged people to go for the vaccines said they had been convinced that claims flying on social media about the vaccine were all lies.

 Earlier in a remark, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan said apart from vaccines,  COVID-19 protocols had come to stay and must be observed regularly .

The programme was organised in partnership with National Health Care Development Agency. 

Ridwan Fasasi