… exercise bills for May to and 8

By Kemi Olatunde 

About one million two hundred and six thousand seven hundred and seventy one children  (under five) children have been targeted for the upcoming National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) in Ondo State, The Hope has gathered.

The exercise is expected to take place between May 4 and 8 2025 including the mop up days and will be flagged off by the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday in Akure, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu described the exercise as a crucial one, noting that it is expected to ensure the healthy state of children.

According to him, it is rare to see a child come down with polio due to mother’s gesture of embracing the best survival strategy for their children which he said is immunisation.

 He expressed appreciation to the governor for his investment in the state health sector especially the PHC system, noting that he increased the monthly subvention of PHC activities by 50 percent.

He said; “PHC system provide over 70 percent of health services to residents. Recently, the Governor approved about N50million to power the cold chain system for vaccine potency. He has also released fund for the completion of the expansion of the office complex of the Agency.

“109 health centres are being renovated with Ondo State government and World Bank collaboration in which the governor has paid the counterpart funding. His 100 days in office has been truly eventful.”

He commended stakeholders for giving priority to immunisation and overall health of residents of the state calling on them to give the best to the people so as to prevent contracting and infectious diseases in the state.

Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Victor Adefesoye in his welcome address stressed the need for stakeholders to be adequately informed in order to encourage residents to present their children for the vaccination.

He also stressed the need for male involvement in the exercise calling for their cooperation in ensuring adequate vaccination of children.

He also called on health committee to sensitise the communities before the commencement of the exercise, saying that it will involve both oral vaccine and injectable and added that VIT A will be given to eligible children for the maintenance of good sight, brain and skin integrity.

Speaking on behalf of partners, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Adebayo Ibrahim stated that the success of the campaign depends on stakeholders and  called for their collaboration.

While noting that the major antegen is Polio, he stated that Nigeria has eradicated the wide polio virus in 2020 and revealed that there have circulating variant of polio virus in the country saying “we should be able to interrupt the transmission of the virus in the state. It was really isolated in Oyo state recently.”

He assured of vaccine safety that it will protect the contraction of polio virus, adding that the routine immunisation will also be given during the exercise.

In her presentation on Polio supplemental immunisation activities, State Immunisation Officer, Mrs Florence Fadiji stated that community engagement with major stakeholders will enhance success of the exercise, adding that collaboration with government agencies, Non Governmental Organisations as well as International organisations will encourage good achievement.

She explained that the oral polio vaccine which is given orally can be assessed in health facilities, schools, mosques, churches, motor parks, and any other ongoing events.

She called on all to work together in ensuring the protection of children against polio and vaccine preventable diseases in the state.