The Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA) has called on stakeholders to intensify efforts against polio by achieving comprehensive coverage in the upcoming National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign.
The Permanent Secretary of OSPHCDA, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting held Wednesday in Akure. He emphasized that the success of the immunisation campaign would depend on the collective commitment of all stakeholders.
The NIPDs campaign will run from June 28 to July 1 and will target children aged 0 to 59 months for polio vaccination.
“We called you again because, without your support, nothing can be achieved. Please don’t be weary,” Akanbiemu said. “We urge traditional and religious leaders, market leaders, NGOs, and the media to advocate for children’s health. This will encourage parents and guardians to bring out their children for the second round of NIPDs.”
He commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his support of healthcare initiatives in the state, noting that the governor has consistently backed activities that promote public health.
Akanbiemu also expressed gratitude to development partners for their financial and medical contributions, which he said had been instrumental to the state’s previous immunisation successes.
Dr. Adebayo Ibraheem, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), reiterated the importance of the NIPDs, stressing that the campaign was critical to building strong immunity among children against polio and other preventable diseases.
He noted that Nigeria is still battling variants of the poliovirus, which makes the upcoming campaign vital.
“The state has been exemplary in its immunisation efforts. We commend OSPHCDA for its outstanding work,” Ibraheem said.
Mrs. Florence Fadiji, the state’s Immunisation Officer, urged stakeholders to intensify community engagement and supervision during the campaign, encouraging outreach at homes, streets, and religious centres.
Also speaking, Mrs. Moronke Orhorhamreru, a UNICEF Consultant, advised stakeholders to help mobilise communities and counter misinformation, emphasizing the need to dispel rumours and vaccine hesitancy with accurate health information.
