By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHCDA) has flagged-off the second round of 2019 Local Immunisation Days (LIDs) of children against six-killer diseases in Obeiba, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Dr Abubarka Yakubu, Executive Director, KSPHCDA, at the LIDs’ inauguration ceremony in Obeiba, said the LIDs program was organised to enhance the agency’s Routine Immunization (RI) performance across the State and by extension the State report at the National level.
According to Yakubu, the first round of 2019 LIDs was flagged off at Okofi in Kogi LGA, January this year and today we are here at Obeiba 1.
”The choice for this flag-off at Obeiba 1, is premised on the report of so many Partially Immunized (PI) children discovered in the area.
”A lot of parents and care givers start the immunization process and refuse to complete it. We also have resistance by some who deliberately would not have their children immunized.
”This trend is disturbing because our children will be exposed to childhood diseases in the near future.
”We are also aware that Eika Ward is an area for concern especially Abobo and Eika Communities. I specially solicit the assistance and commitment of the LGA team to give special attention to such areas because of migrants,” Yakubu said.
Yakubu used the occasion to encourage the people to seize every opportunity to get their children immunized against childhood killer diseases.
”I want to specially and sincerely appreciate the Sole Administrator of this LGA, Hon Abdulkareem Ohiare for the timely support to the Health Department and for the support towards this flag-off. It is indeed worthy of mention,” he said.
Yakubu, however, appealed to the Sole Administrator and LGA Team to take ownership of every health related and Routine immunization activities which bothered on children.
”As parents, we must be responsible to their well being starting with completing their immunization schedule.
”Vaccines are free and are brought to our doorsteps through outreach sessions conducted by our Health Workers in the various Health Facilities.
”As such, we have no reason why our children of under one year of age should not be immunized.
”Our traditional Rulers can help us with the campaign in getting our people sensitized on routine immunization benefits. Please, get our children immunized,” Yakubu pleaded.
He commended the State Commissione for Health, the State Coordinator SOML, Program Manager ANRIN, and other Partners especially WHO and AFENET.
He noted that their collective contributions had immensely enhanced Routine Immunization activities in the State and hoped for more collaborative efforts to making our communities and children healthy.
He also appreciated the State Technical Facilitators (STFs), Supervisors and all Health Workers currently on the field for this program, saying they must all work together to achieve their common goal.
Dr Saka Audu, the Kogi Commissioner for Health, congratulated the agency for the successful flag off of the second round of the LIDs.
Represented by Mr James Ameh, the Director Administration and Finance (DAF) of the ministry, Audu urged the people to discard euphoria and all superstitious believes about immunization.
He called on mothers to bring out their children for immunization, while urging fathers, community, traditional and religious leaders to do everything humanly possible to sensitise their people.
In his remarks, Alhaji Ahmed Ogido, the Ohi of Ihima and Chairman Okehi Traditional Council, reaffirmed their commissioned to get their children immunised against killer diseases.
”It is not good to born a child and bury the child because of ignorance.
”We will continue to sensitise our women even our men on the need to have their children immunised and ensure a good life for them.
He appreciated the effort of the state government and the agency for bringing the loudable life-saving program to their domain.
”Being an institution that is closest to the people, in our own way, we shall continue to sensitise our people on the benefits of routine immunization.
”We will ensure that our people imbibe the spirit of immunization,” Ogido said.
