By Kemi Olatunde

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Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu yesterday flagged off the September 2023 Round of National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS) in Ondo State.

Flagging off the programme in Akure, she said the exercise which will commence tomorrow, Saturday aimed to engender a wider coverage of the Oral Polio Vaccination both in the state and Nigeria at large.

Represented by the Women Affairs Commissioner, Dr (Mrs) Julianah Osadahun, Arabinrin Akeredolu said that NIPDS has achieved significant progress in the Oral Polio Vaccine coverage and other routine immunisation with 100 percent in December, 2022 and January, 2023 Outbreak Response (OBR) and attributed it to the commitment and dedication of health workers in the state.

She assured of her support in ensuring that all under five children are fully vaccinated and charged stakeholders to step up intensive mobilisation activities for the exercise.

According to her “The failure of one child to take the Oral Polio vaccine is a collective failure of us all and a looming danger for the  immunity we desire to keep our public health space in Ondo State.”

In his welcome address, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka described NIPDS as a campaign aimed at strengthening the immunisation of under five children against polio disease.

He said that government has invested massively in the state health sector, noting that the efforts are being recognised as attested to by the PHC Leadership Challenge Award received by the state in the South West.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, Ajaka called on all to ensure that residents are sensitised within the communities in the state.

Speaking on behalf of partners in the state, State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Sunday Dele Davies stated that immunisation is important to prevent childhood diseases which according to him can lead to death.

 The Agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu said that Ondo State came first in the South West with 96 percent in the PHC assessment in Nigeria.

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