United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Field Office Enugu has emphasized the need for parents and guardians to immunize their children against preventable diseases.
The UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe stated this on Wednesday during the official state launch of Integrated Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization covering measles, yellow fever, routine immunization, COVID-19 and birth registration held at Parklane Hospital, Enugu.
She said, “I want to encourage my fellow mothers to take this opportunity to ensure that their children are immunized to be protected from preventable diseases.
“This campaign is looking at strengthening the immunization exercise which includes measles, yellow fever, and COVID-19 among others.
According to her, the Vaccine is available free of charge in the state and it’s safe and effective.
She commended the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for their commitment to strengthening the health care system in the state and assured that UNICEF will continue to partner with the state government in addressing the health care needs of the people, especially mothers and children
“As you know, our mandate is to ensure that children and mothers receive good health care services and we will continue to support the provision of COVID-19 vaccines, polio vaccines, measles and yellow fever vaccines to ensure that mothers and children are well covered,” she said
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. George Ugwu said the agency has trained over 7,000 health workers in the state to conduct the exercise.
He disclosed that the state government will immunize over 1.3m people against measles, yellow fever, COVID-19 and others during the exercise and urged citizens to avail themselves available to take all the vaccines which according to him are free and safe.
Flagging off the exercise, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state who was represented by his deputy, Cecelia Ezeilo reiterated that the state government will continue to make more investments in improving the health care system in the state.
He urged mothers to ensure they vaccinate their children against all preventable diseases to enjoy good health.