AWKA/Nigeria: The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has expressed concern over the declining rates of immunization among children in the state, urging mothers to prioritize the health and future of their children.
Dr. Soludo made this appeal on Saturday during the 2nd Anambra State Women Health Summit in Awka, organized under her Healthy Living Initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Addressing the summit, Dr. Soludo emphasized the importance of immunization in protecting children from life-long illnesses. She lamented the low immunization uptake in the state, stressing that mothers must make time to ensure their children receive the necessary vaccines.
“I’m not happy to hear that our state is recording low in immunization uptake. Mothers need to create time and take their children to health facilities to get them vaccinated,” she said.
Dr. Soludo highlighted that these childhood vaccines are free, safe, and effective, and called on mothers to see immunization as a top priority. She noted that when children are healthy, it reduces the stress and financial burden associated with childhood illnesses.
“Since Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration started the free antenatal and delivery policy, Anambra is now one of the states with the lowest maternal mortality. We want to record the same success in the area of immunization too,” she added.
Beyond immunization, Dr. Soludo advised women to appreciate their natural skin color and avoid the use of bleaching creams. She encouraged them to focus on regular health checks, balanced diets, and regular exercise to stay fit and healthy.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Uju Obiagwu of the WHO expressed concern over the declining immunization coverage in Anambra State. She noted that despite the state government’s efforts in partnership with WHO to ensure the availability of all childhood vaccines across health facilities, the uptake remains low.
“These vaccines help to prevent acute paralysis, measles, polio, meningitis, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera, and neonatal tetanus,” Dr. Obiagwu explained.
She pointed out that the state had recorded several outbreaks of measles in areas like Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, and Ayamelum, largely due to the failure of parents to take their children for immunization.
Dr. Obiagwu urged mothers to play a crucial role in ensuring that children in Anambra are vaccinated, emphasizing the need to spread the message within their communities to help children live healthier and longer lives.
Dr. Mohamed Bonos, the Anambra State Coordinator for WHO, commended the state government for creating an enabling environment and fostering partnerships that promote the health of residents.
In his presentation, Prof. Brian Adinma, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, urged women to prioritize their reproductive health.
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, remarked that the health summit demonstrated the state government’s commitment to the health and welfare of women and children in Anambra.
