ASABA/Nigeria: Primary Healthcare Coordinators across the state have been called upon to redouble efforts in ensuring the success of the upcoming measles immunization campaign.
The Chairman, Governing Board, Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Isioma Okobah, stated this today at a meeting she held with the PHC Coordinators in Asaba.
Dr Okobah noted that the meeting was in recognition of the fact that social mobilization was key to effective immunization, adding that Primary healthcare Coordinators at the various local Governments were the right hands to make it happen.
She stressed the need to identify and mobilise stakeholders in the their various Local Government Areas, including local government chairmen, market leaders, church and school heads, who would enhance quality coverage of the measles campaign.
The Chairman urged them to embark on a house to house campaign to disseminate information on the Measles Immunization Campaign to assure the people on the safety, importance and effectiveness of the vaccines, thereby correcting all misconceptions.
Dr Okobah enjoined the PHC Coordinators to among others monitor the implementation of the campaign, ensure early detection of any challenge that could lead to omission of any target age from vaccination, identify its immediate solution, ensure they held a mandatory review meeting daily in all the wards, and document all challenges and corrective actions which would be shared at the Local Government Review Meetings by the Ward Focal Persons.
The Executive Director of the Agency, Dr Jude Winful-Orieke who introduced the new Chairman of the Agency to the PHC Coordinators, said that Dr Okobah was passionate about primary healthcare hence the prompt meeting with them to ensure proper planning and synergy in immunizing over one million children in the state against measles.
Some of the Partners of the Agency who spoke commended Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the early release of counterpart funding for the project, in line with his SMART Agenda on health and urged him not to relent.
The interactive meeting with PHC Coordinators featured questions and answers session where grey areas were clarified.
The meeting was also attended by the Director, Community Development Social Mobilization and Advocacy Dr Francis Onojeta; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Mrs Gloria Patrick Ferife; Director Administration, Mr Onoriode Ituobore; State Immunization Officer, Dr Ngozi Orofuke; and partners from UNICEF, WHO, Drug Revolving Fund, among others.
