The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Zamfara chapter has called on health stakeholders in the state to increase public awareness against infodemics to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation about vaccination.
The State NMA, Chairman, Dr Ibrahim Hano, made the call on Saturday in Gusau while speaking at the Scientific Conference and Ordinary General Meeting of the Association.
The theme for the conference is: ‘Healthy Begining, Hopeful Future, ‘Infodemic as drivers for Vaccine Hesitancy: The Effects and The Way Out.’
Presenting a paper on the theme, Hano said that, the topic was widely chosen considering the effects of infordemic to polio vaccine and other related vaccinations
He said that in Nigeria the hesitancy was increasing especially with the introduction of new vaccines since the onset of COVID-19.
Hano said, ‘You know a healthy begining of a human being must start with a cycle of a healthy child, because healthy children a produce healthy adults, a healthy adults also produce healthy children.
“We start with vaccination because when children are well vaccinated and protected from child killer diseases, it will make them the grow healthier to start with a healthy beginning of their lives.”
He stated that the social media was becoming more stronger in the society, just as the people’s awareness on access to internet was waxing stronger.
“We felt it is very necessary for us to be aware about the issue of infordemic and it’s effects on the issue of vaccination.
“We felt it is necessary to sensitise the doctors to know more about it and how to overcome it.
“I think government and partners should increase more enlightenment and training of health care providers to know more about the infordemic,” state NMA chairman explained.
Also speaking, the State NMA Vice Chairman, Dr Muhammed Salahudeen, said the topic was rightly chosen for Zamfara especially on polio and non polio related issues.
Salahudeen said that one of the major issues related to vaccination in Zamfara was non compliance and mismanagement of information.
He added, “This is timely, I believe the NMA in collaboration with other partners are coming together to raise awareness of the general public on importance of polio vaccination.”
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Medical Director, Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital Gusau, Dr Aminu Nahuche, commended the NMA for always choosing the right topics for presentation on the development of the healthcare system.
He assured continued support to the NMA to continue collaborating with other stakeholders to promote healthcare system in the state.
NAN
