The newly appointed Executive Secretary, Imo state primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Perry Chinedu Njoku has swung into action and set to collaborate with donor and interventionist agencies to wage serious war against child killer diseases in the state.
Briefing Newsmen in the company of other stakeholders in Owerri, Dr Njoku said arrangements were on top gear for the commencement of what he called the “second dose” immunization against Measles which he said was to either boost the first dose expected to have been administered to the baby at nine months and (or) to capture those who did not partake at all.
He called on journalists and all stakeholders to join hands in creating awareness on the importance of the programme which he said was to promote the health of Imo children, adding that the importance of preventive approach cannot be overemphasized.
Dr Njoku commended the partners/ donor agencies for their steadfastness in providing vaccines and other essentials for the immunization campaigns against different child killer diseases and promised that IMO state government under the leadership of chief Emeka Ihedioha will always play its part to make sure that the campaigns succeeded.
He recalled that the governor in his inauguration speech spoke passionately about his health care packages for the entire imo people while laying serious emphasis on pregnant women, the under-five(5) children and less privileged people.
Adding her voice to the press briefing, Imo state Coordinator, National Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Mrs Stella Okoro informed that vaccines for the immunization campaign were already made available, that training had been done at different levels.
She said the only challenge will be the issue of shortage of qualified and licensed personally to administer the vaccines since they are injectables and
however, said the issue will be sorted out in a private meeting with the Executive Secretary and other stakeholders.
Also speaking, the world Health Organization (WHO) state coordinator for Imo state, Dr Sebastine Okwu assured that the partners will not relent in their support and collaboration with the state government to ensure that Imolites are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
In his own contribution, the Director, Disease Control and Immunization, Dr Odom Uchechukwu disclosed that the Measles immunization; the first dose was for children under the age of 15 months while the second dose was for those under 22 months. He informed that the campaign will start in the next two weeks and urged parents to take their children to the nearest health facilities for the immunization.
By Jennifer John
