The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has launched a nationwide integrated campaign to protect millions of Nigerian children against Measles Rubella, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Polio, other vaccine preventable diseases, and treatment of some neglected tropical diseases.
The campaign, flagged off by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, aims to immunize 106 million Nigerian children aged 0-14 years across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. In her keynote address, the First Lady reiterated the federal government commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.
“As we take another bold step towards protecting the lives of and the future of our children, this flag-off is a declaration of our collective resolve as a nation to say no more, to the diseases that steal the future of our sons and daughters. The integrated campaign is a testament to the commitment of the Federal Government in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR which is to ensure that every Nigerian child has a healthy start in life and that no mother dies while birthing life” says the First Lady.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, expressed gratitude to the country’s health workers, saying, “The backbone of this intervention is our health workers who will spend long days in the field… We thank you for your dedication and sacrifices.” He urged parents to take advantage of the availability of the vaccines, to protect their children, assuring that they are safe and effective.
Prof. Pate emphasized the importance of immunization, stating that “there is no parent who will know something will be of benefit to his or her child and refuse to do that thing.” He urged parents to bring out their children to be vaccinated to protect them against diseases that can cause death or disability in their lives.
The Executive Director/CEO of NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, in his welcome address emphasized that the campaign is crucial in closing immunity gaps and interrupting the transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases such as Polio, measles Rubella and increasing uptake of Human Papillomavirus and other routine vaccines. “This integrated campaign is therefore one more step in the fulfilment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s commitment to ensuring that preventable illness and death among our young children is very substantially reduced.” he said.
As the campaign begins, we urge all Nigerians to take advantage of the free vaccines paid for by government and protect their children from these deadly diseases. Let’s work together to build a healthier Nigeria for all.
Other dignitaries and stakeholders who attended the flag-off include, the Wife of the Vice President, Her Excellency, Hajiya Nana Shettima, members of the National Assembly – Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Chairman House Committee on Health, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Representatives of donor agencies, Royal Fathers – His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto and His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, and Religious leaders – CAN President, His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Executive Director of the Nigeria Interfaith Action Association.
Vaccines are safe, effective and paid for by government!
