From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme has flagged off the 2024 Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign in the state.
Speaking at the occasion in Asaba, the deputy governor said the state government is committed to the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres to provide quality services through a 24-hour circle.
According to him, a good number of healthcare centres have been ear-marked for the initial phase and other existing ones would be reached as government embarks on the project.
Onyeme, who disclosed that government is committed to the protection of children against measles, noted that the vaccination campaign was informed by the fact that measles remains a persistent challenge due to general low vaccination coverage, misinformation and barriers of access to healthcare services.
“We are called upon to reverse this trend and ensure that the primary objective of this campaign which is to achieve high immunity in the population of Delta State.
“Knowing that measles is still with us and that it affects, especially our children who are less than 59 months, causing high morbidity and mortality, we must protect them. They are our future and that of a greater Delta State.
“In our commitment as a responsible government, let me remind Deltans that government is already implementing the Abuja Commitments on Primary Health Care which is the bed-rock of a viable system,” he said.
The deputy governor, who is also the chairman of the Task Force on Primary Health Care/Immunisation in the state, added that government’s doors are open to a realistic and result oriented public-private partnership and communities collaboration.
He enjoined all Deltans to enrol in the State Health Insurance Scheme so that they could benefit from subsidised health care, noting that it is aside the existing free care for pregnant women and under-five children.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Heath, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Philomena Okeowo, noted that measles is contagious and a public health concern with sporadic outbreaks that affect mostly children between nine and 59 months.
She said measles untoward signs and symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, feeling of being unwell, coryza, cough, conjunctivitis, blindness and or death.
The commissioner noted that Delta State has made significant strides in curbing the menace with ongoing routine vaccination coverage in healthcare facilities.
