The Federal Capital Territory Administration in a collaborative effort with the United Nations Children’s Fund is taking significant steps to combat pressing health issues such as measles, polio, and cancers affecting teenage girls and women, along with other child-related diseases in Abuja.
This initiative aims to enhance healthcare accessibility and ensure the well-being of children and women in the region.
During a media orientation held to kick off the upcoming Integrated Supplemental Immunization Activities against measles, , the acting Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ruqayya Wamakko, made an emphatic appeal to the community.
She encouraged parents to seize the opportunity of the SIAs scheduled from October 26 to November 2, emphasizing the critical importance of vaccination.
Dr. Wamakko stated, “Prevention is better than cure; no child should suffer deformity or die when vaccines are available to prevent such outcomes.”
The acting Director of Primary Health Care at FCT-PHCB, Dr. Okoli Nicholas, also took the podium, highlighting the vital role of the media in spreading accurate health information.
He called on journalists to help ensure the success of the immunization campaign by disseminating reliable information to the public.
“Misinformation can undermine health interventions aimed at saving lives,” he cautioned, reassuring parents that the vaccines are not only safe but also free and easily accessible at primary health care facilities.
UNICEF’s Country Head of Social and Behaviour Change, Mrs. Margaret Soyemi, underscored the essential role of the press in communicating important health messages.
She remarked, “For UNICEF, immunization is a key deliverable for children because many diseases can be prevented with vaccines. There is no need for a child to die when there are services available to prevent such tragedies.”
Emphasizing the collaborative nature of this initiative, she urged parents to take advantage of the immunization services being offered. Mrs. Soyemi stressed the importance of partnership between UNICEF, the media, and health authorities, as they work together to promote the health and well-being of Nigerian children.
Through this united front, the FCTA and UNICEF aim to make a significant impact on child health in the Federal Capital Territory, ultimately saving lives and ensuring a healthier future for the younger generation.
