The Bayelsa State Government has commended the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Rotary International, and other development partners for their continued support in improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the commendation on Friday while launching the State Immunization Plus Days (SIPDs) and Routine Immunization Intensification Campaign at Otuokpoti Community in Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA).
Ewhrudjakpo attributed the state’s recent achievements in the health sector to its effective collaboration with development partners. He urged religious organizations, community leaders, and parents to make their children available for immunization.
He reaffirmed that the administration of Governor Douye Diri remains committed to investing in the health and wellbeing of Bayelsa people.
The deputy governor also advised parents to ensure their young girls receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to protect them from cervical cancer, which he noted is on the rise nationwide.
Ewhrudjakpo further assured that the government would intensify its campaign against fake drugs and expired consumables to safeguard public health.
He commended local government chairmen, especially Mr. Golden Jeremiah of Ogbia LGA, for their support toward immunization campaigns.
According to him, future launches of such campaigns will rotate across all local government areas to ensure grassroots participation.
“I want to encourage our people to come out en masse and take part in the exercise,” Ewhrudjakpo said.
“Apart from the polio vaccine, we also have the malaria and HPV vaccines. It is far cheaper to immunize a child and prevent malaria for five years than to treat it repeatedly.
For our young girls, we are also urging them to take the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer, which is destroying many women at an alarming rate.”
He expressed appreciation to WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and local government authorities for their collaboration and commitment to public health.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, said rotating the campaign’s launch across LGAs would promote awareness among rural dwellers and encourage participation.
He commended the governor and deputy governor for their leadership and support in strengthening the state’s healthcare system and improving life expectancy.
Also speaking, the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, Charles Dumaro-Owaba, represented by the Paramount Ruler of Anyama-Ogbia, Sopana Amakiri-Agala, lauded the state government’s efforts but urged stronger action against fake drugs and expired goods.
In goodwill messages, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Muslim community, and the Ogbia Brotherhood Women Wing pledged to support the immunization campaign.
Similarly, representatives from WHO, Rotary International, UNICEF, and the Paediatric Association of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with the state to improve child health outcomes.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic administration of the oral polio vaccine to children by the Commissioner for Health and the Ogbia LGA Chairman.
