The Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, has solicited the support of local government chairmen to ensure the success of the measles–rubella immunization campaign in schools across the state.
Obidike made the call on Saturday in Awka at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with chairmen of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) ahead of the measles–rubella vaccine campaign scheduled for Feb. 4 to Feb. 15.
He said the cooperation of schools was critical to ensuring that all eligible children aged nine months to 14 years were reached and protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“The state government is determined to ensure that no eligible child is endangered by measles or rubella due to gaps in access during the campaign,” Obidike said.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to the council chairmen for their contributions to curbing disease outbreaks in their respective areas.
He urged them to sustain their partnership in primary healthcare activities to improve routine immunization coverage across the state.
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“We call for the total commitment of the LGA chairmen. This can be achieved by inaugurating immunization task forces and participating in daily evening review meetings during the exercise to enhance its success,” Obidike said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Mrs Chisom Uchem, said some LGAs were recording low immunization coverage.
Uchem said the active involvement of council chairmen was crucial to reversing the trend.
“I encourage the chairmen to organise flag-off ceremonies for the measles–rubella campaign in their LGAs to boost awareness and strengthen grassroots mobilization,” she said.
A representative of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Nnamdi Okoye, urged the chairmen to serve as ambassadors of the campaign and take ownership to ensure effective implementation at the grassroots.
Similarly, UNICEF Strategic and Behavioral Change Consultant, Mr Victor James, said the presence and commitment of LGA chairmen would inspire public trust and confidence.
James said community challenges could be more easily resolved with their involvement.
The traditional ruler of Ifitedunu community in Dunukofia LGA, Igwe Emeka Ilouno, emphasized that teamwork among stakeholders would enable the state to achieve its target coverage during the campaign.
Ilouno, who is also a public health physician, said immunization was vital to safeguarding children’s lives and future, noting that prevention was better than cure.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Aguata LGA, Dr Chibueze Ofobuike, assured of increased monitoring, visibility and coordination of primary healthcare activities by council chairmen.
Ofobuike pledged that the LGAs would intensify efforts to improve immunization coverage, with the goal of ensuring that no council remains in the red zone on the state’s immunization coverage dashboard.
