By Uzo Ugwunze
The Mayor Idemili North LGA, Chief Stanley Nkwoka has tasked mothers and caregivers to lay Solid Health Foundation For their children to guarantee a future full of opportunities and possibilities.
Speaking through the LGA Secretary, Hon. Paul Chidubem Okoye during the flag off of Big Catch up routine immunization campaign second round at the Mch Health Center Ogidi, stressed the importance of every child undergoing all the routine and other forms of immunization as specified and approved by World Health Organization WHO , United Nations children fund UNICEF, Federal and State Government.
“Immunization of your child is building the future of that child, because you can never predict what your child can become tomorrow in your family or society. Immunization boosts immune system and good health status. Please adhere to the health tips and follow the health immunization routine to ensure a great future for our children”.
“During his 100 days in office celebration two weeks ago, our Mayor registered about 2500 persons for free medical health insurance investing about 50 million naira and also donated an ambulance for efficient health delivery services in Idemili North LGA. Just Call 211 and 5111 should any emergency arise at any part of INLGA our health workers will arrive with the ambulance to rush you to any primary, secondary or tertiary healthcare facility within the LGA.
“Also, the Mayor had hosted Her Excellency Nonye Soludo for healthy living campaign and own your gardens initiatives as a health friendly Mayor. Any person who has health is wealthy and will eventually win. Our Mayor loves Umu Idemili so much and that is why healthcare is one of his priorities.Be a good listener, follower and implement what you have learnt today,” he said.
Moreso, the sponsors of the program, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHDA) in collaboration with United Nations children fund(UNICEF) and other donor agencies during the flag off Big Catch Up Routine Immunization urged everyone to join Advocacy For Complete immunization of children.
In her address, the INLGA PHC Director, Mrs Chinwe Okeke said that the reason for Big Catch Up Routine Immunization Campaign which will run from February 10 to February 15, 2025 simultaneously in 9 LGAs in Anambra State was to ensure that children who were not immunized or who skipped some routine immunization would be immunized.
“Our health workers will be at our PHC facilities, markets, churches, schools, .block Rosary centers. Caregivers or parents should bring out their children from 0 to 59 months who are not fully immunized or not immunized at all for immunization. It is free, safe and effective,” said Mrs Okeke.
According to Social Mobilization Officer Health Educator, INLGA, Mrs OkpalaNwankwo Chinememma Ukamaka the second phase of the Big Catch Up Routine Immunization will cover Penta 1&2 doses, PCV, two doses of IPV. including other normal routine immunization vaccines. Our health team which will go from House to house will use the three strategies of Identification, Enumeration and Vaccination.
“Also, if the caregiver cannot determine whether the child has been previously immunized, there is no fear of overdose, the vaccination will rather boost the child’s immune system than harm the child.
The health educator said that Stakeholders engagement meeting involving community leaders, school teachers, clergy, has been scheduled to properly sensitize the citizens of the need to embrace the immunization campaign.
Highlights of flag off was the presentation of the Information Education Communication IEC materials, fliers, circulars and posters for the big catch up immunization campaign second round to the INLGA Chairman’s Representative and to the Community Focal persons for proper sensitization. Actual immunization of the children present at MCH etc continued.
