A former Commissioner for Health in Kogi State, Dr. Idris Omede has called on government at all levels to protect live and property of citizens through provision of basic health care facilities and services.
Omede, a former President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), made the call in Yola, Adamawa State on Friday after he was vaccinated using the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and provided through the global COVAX initiative.
He stressed the need for government at all levels to make the prevention and protection against the current global pandemic a top priority. He urged governments to provide for other health emergencies and terminal ailments, believing in the dictum that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
The former President, Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria (APBN) bemoaned the attitude of some state governments in denying its citizens the benefits of the vaccine based on layman excuses without scientific or medical research proof and poor information of processes, criteria and procedures for vaccine production.
“Definitely not all conditions have vaccines. Vaccine production is based on building blocks with specificity and sensitivity,” he said.
Dr. Omede commended the Federal Ministry of Health, Presidential Task Force and most state governments for the intervention and response to address the lingering global pandemic.
The former NMA President advised Nigerians to make it a civic duty to get vaccinated in line with the laid down procedures, saying “COVID-19 is real, and whatever can be prevented and avoided should be adhered to for a healthier society, so that we can address other natural and man made challenges.”
“I had the first jab of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine today. A nation should protect her peoples’ lives and property. This is one of such. Get yours, if you have not yet.’”
He expressed optimism in the efficacy of the vaccine, with no any visible side effects as being speculated in some quarters.
