OGWASHI-UKU/Nigeria: The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Ogweshi Patrick Ukah, has assured of a robust sensitization campaign towards the forthcoming tetanus immunization for women of reproductive age in the state.
Ogweshi Ukah gave the assurance when the Chairman of the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA), Dr Mrs Isioma Okobah, led the management team of the agency on an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Information, Asaba.
The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Paul Osahor (JP), noted that timely and adequate awareness would afford the people the opportunity to take advantage of the immunization programme.
While describing Dr Okobah as a square peg in a square hole, whom he said had devoted her time and resources to the provision of medical commodities for years to the Ika nation, Ogweshi Ukah said that her appointment was home coming to further give back to humanity.
He said that primary healthcare needed the right foundation and expressed confidence in the ability of Dr Okobah to make a resounding difference.
“If we get it right at the PHC level, we will be able to lay a solid foundation for our health sector,” the commissioner said, adding, “We will support you in this awareness campaign and others to enable you succeed, we will publicize the activities of the agency to the best of our abilities.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Okobah, intimated the commissioner of the forthcoming Neonatal tetanus immunization exercise scheduled from November 1- 5, 2018.
Dr Okowa stated that the exercise was meant for women in the reproductive ages of 15 to 49, explaining that it was meant to protect babies delivered under unhygienic environment from contracting the tetanus infection.
According to Dr Okobah, “Statistics have shown that a lot of babies die of tetanus infection when their mothers are not immunized. We are going to carryout sensitization campaigns. We cannot do it alone. You are a very strong stakeholder to propagate our messages through your various media of communication.”
She appreciated the previous partnership with the Delta State Ministry of Information, saying that the campaigns would be carried out in schools, residential homes and markets, among other places.
