Home FEATURES Abuja Fights Polio That May Have Been Kicked Out Since 2013

Abuja Fights Polio That May Have Been Kicked Out Since 2013

Dr Ajakaiya FCT PermsecThe Federal Capital Territory Administration is still fighting poliomyelitis by giving immunization to the residents, even though it was last reported in Abuja in 2013.
The FCT Acting Secretary of Health & Human Services, Mrs. Alice Achu, who made this known during the flag-off of the FCT 2016 African Vaccination Week at Saburi Community, a suburb of Abuja, confirmed that the last case of wild poliovirus was reported in February 2013.
She attributed the success achieved in eliminating polio to the collaborative efforts of government and other partners.
She said that, as part of activities for the FCT 2016 Vaccination Week, the FCTA would provide immunization services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and nomadic settlements with poor routine immunization coverage.
This was even as the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajaikaiye described the theme for the 2016 campaign: “Close the immunity gap: Stay Polio Free,” as appropriate.
He assured that the FCT Administration would provide quality immunization services to all the residents to improve the health and well being of mothers and children.
Dr. Ajakaiye said that the administration would increase access to cost effective vaccinations against preventable diseases and make life saving critical health interventions, such as Vitamin A
supplementation, nutritional screening and management.
He said that the administration would double its efforts aimed at providing critical information on health education easily available to all residents.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the focus of the African Vaccination in FCT is to work together with other stakeholders to strengthen national immunization programmes in the entire African region.
He said that the FCT administration places top priority on the target of attaining Polio eradication and certification in Nigeria by 2017 and is therefore working to ensure availability of all relevant supplies to meet the demand that will be created.
Dr. Ajakaiye warned that all the resources provided must be judiciously utilized to improve the health of all the women and children in the FCT.
He called on all residents to avail themselves of the opportunity to receive immunization services, from the 24th to 30th April, 2016, in the health camps sited at selected areas including those in the Internally Displaced Camps, nomadic settlements and other high risk communities.
He also called for the collaboration and support of the Traditional rulers, religious leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT to eradicate polio in Nigeria as projected. [myad]

Leave a Reply