Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the well-being of every child in Ondo State through regular vaccination against all childhood diseases.
He encouraged mothers and caregivers in the state to present their children and wards, aged 9 to 59 months, for the ongoing immunization against measles.
Aiyedatiwa, while flagging off the 2024 integrated measles vaccination campaign at the State Specialist Hospital (Mother and Child), Oke-Aro, Akure, emphasized that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children pose a great threat to the health of already immunized children. He urged all stakeholders to ensure that no child is left behind in the ongoing campaign against measles.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, the governor announced that the mandatory counterpart funding for the vaccination had been provided by the government, and all logistics for ensuring 100% coverage in Ondo State were in place.
“During this campaign, our target is to immunize over 924,119 children between the ages of 9-59 months across all our communities within seven days. All logistics, including vaccines, are available in good condition at the State and LGA cold stores, and the necessary team of health workers for the exercise is on the ground. The two 100KVA Mikano generators, solely dedicated to the seamless functioning of the Cold Chain store at the Agency, are functioning very well.
"You will, therefore, see our health workers moving from place to place—schools, churches, and mosques—to immunize all eligible children. I encourage all citizens of Ondo State to embrace this measles vaccination campaign and ensure their children and wards receive the measles vaccine.”
Aiyedatiwa praised the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (OSPHCDA), under the leadership of Permanent Secretary Dr. Francis Adegoke Akanbiemu, as well as frontline health workers, mothers, religious leaders, community heads, and the media for their proactive approach to all immunization programs in the state.
He stated, “I thank all members of the hardworking health team at OSPHCDA. I also thank our community leaders and the people of Ondo State for supporting our healthcare interventions. I also appreciate the media for covering our efforts in the health sector. It is heartwarming that Ondo State came first among participating states in the last measles campaign held in December 2022, with over 93% coverage."
Highlighting his administration’s achievements in the health sector, Aiyedatiwa revealed that investment in healthcare is a top priority. The government recently approved an increase in the entry-level salary of medical doctors employed in the state to Level 13, Step 2, aligning with Federal Government standards.
He also noted that adjustments had been made for other doctors already in the state’s employ to reflect the increase in health workers' remuneration. Additionally, the government has recruited more doctors and nurses into both primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the OSPHCDA, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, appealed to mothers and caregivers to present their children aged 9-59 months to health workers who would be visiting homes, markets, schools, and public places to administer the vaccine. He assured the public that Ondo State aims to achieve over 100% coverage, surpassing the 93% recorded in the previous measles campaign.
Dr. Akanbiemu emphasized that primary healthcare workers in all 18 local government areas had been fully mobilized to carry out the integrated immunization against measles.
“We have health workers everywhere, even in hard-to-reach areas and difficult terrains. The vaccine will be provided, and we expect mothers to allow their children to be vaccinated when health workers visit their homes, schools, markets, or when they go to the nearest primary healthcare centers. This service is free of charge.”
Dr. Akanbiemu commended the directors and staff of the agency for their support, which has contributed to the success of the immunization program in Ondo State.
Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Victor Adefesoye, called for more stakeholder support to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign.
Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Dele Davis and Dr. Halima Tafida, respectively, described measles as a highly infectious disease with devastating effects, but one that can be prevented with a vaccine. They expressed hope that Ondo State would achieve significant success in the campaign.
Several stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ondo State, Reverend Father Anslem Ologunwa, the Chief Imam of Akureland, Sheikh Abdul-hakeem Yayi-Akorede, and the Asae of Akure, Chief Sola Adegbonmire, commended the state government for ensuring the smooth running of all immunization programs. They pledged to mobilize their followers for the campaign.
Two mothers whose children were vaccinated at the event, Mrs. Iyanuoluwa Adewale and Mrs. Titilope Olatoyinbo, expressed gratitude to both the federal and state governments for providing the vaccine. They also urged other mothers to cooperate with health workers to ensure their children's well-being.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by directors from the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and other government officials.
The measles campaign, which began on October 12, 2024, will conclude on October 19, 2024, with the state targeting over 900,000 children for immunization.
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