Kogi State Government has disclosed that it will with passion and commitment fight to eradicate measles, one of the child killer diseases affecting children from the State.
Capt Idris Wada,Kogi State Governor stated this at the flag-off of integrated follow up measles campaign in Iyara,Ijumu Local Government Area.
The State Governor who was represented by his Deputy,Yomi Awoniyi disclosed that the integrated follow up measles is an integrated and an inclusive health programme aimed at ensuring children survival through immunization activities.
He assured of adequate logistics in making the programme a success in the State.
Capt Wada further disclosed that the follow up campaign is a demonstration of the present administration's commitment to preventive health care, through supportive activities that would herd immunity of communities and urged people of the state to embrace the program.
Capt Wada called on private health care providers to incorporate immunization services in the care and services they render to people of the State.
The Governor added that such collaboration will no doubt,improve routine immunization and reduce morbidity and mortality of vaccine preventable diseases significantly.
The Governor used the flag-off to appreciate the efforts of all the stakeholders who have contributed to the success of immunization programmes in the State.
He urged citizens and inhabitants in the State to take advantage of the measles vaccination to immunize their children.
In his speech,Dr Idris Omede,Kogi State Commissioner for health said 804,000 doses of measles vaccines and other materials needed for the fight against measles including oral polio vaccine have been distributed to all the various local government councils in the state to be administered to children of ages 9 months and 59 months.
Dr Omede described measles as deadly with signs and symptoms that could lead to blindness,deafness,brain damage,pneumonia,disability and even deaths.
The commissioner called on parents to avail themselves of the opportunity to have their children immunized.
Speaking at the flag off,Hajia Halimat Wada,Wife to Kogi State Governor and founder of Kowen,called on women to make there children available to immunize against measles.
The Governor's wife promised her organization's support to the success of all immunization's program,describing children as the future of the nation.
In his remarks,Dr Remi Odutola,Chairman Ijumu Local Government,commended the efforts of the state government in its efforts to eradicate preventable diseases amongst children in the state.
The chairman used the flag off to call on the state government to help the council to maintain an unbroken chain towards preserving the vaccines the state have donated,adding that the vaccines are live viruses that are attenuated to produce anti bodies which neutralizes those that can cause illness in children.
Highlights of the flag off ceremony aside drama presentation on the importance of vaccination and goodwill messages from development partners,was the administering of the measles vaccines to children by the Governor's representative,the wife to the governor and by the wife to the deputy governor, Mrs Tokunbo Awoniyi and others present at the occasion.
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