The Gombe State Government has today flagged off Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health week in line with the administration’s policy of ensuring provision of quality health care to the people in the state.
The event also featured commencement of Mass Vaccination Campaigns against Measles, Meningitis, Yellow Fever and Covid-19 in the State.
Performing the ceremony at the Emir’s Palace Gombe, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Manassah Daniel Jatau,Ph.D, said the activity is a further move towards improving the health status in the entire population, ensuring that the morbidity and mortality of mothers, newborn and under- five years is reduced to the barest minimum.
He said ” Being a government that has placed health as it’s first priority, this flagging is very significant, germane and apt. This, being the case all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of this campaign and it’s effectiveness in the state and by extension in the nation, and even in the world at large since emigration, and migration have great impact on the spread of diseases and similarly, remedies”.
He continued, ” you are all aware that our government has demonstrated to ensure efficient and effective Primary Health Care Services delivery in the state, since its inception of this administration on the 29th of May, 2019. As at today the state has successfully handled cases of Lassa Fever, while it is prepared to handle emergency health issues e.g. Ebola, Monkey Pic,… Accordingly, this exercise is to vaccinate eligible population against, Measles, Yellow Fever, Mens-A, Covid-19, Administer Vitamin A, Routine Immunization, Provision of services to all Maternal, Newborn and Children services too”.
” Lovers of Gombe, for us to achieve this seven (7) laudable objectives, the great support from the PHCDA, it’s partners and relevant stakeholders must be acknowledged and accepted. We in Gombe are challenged to show very active participation of all of us here and even those at home. We need the support of Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders, Civil Society Organizations, Women group , Media, and other general members of the public ” he added.
The Deputy Governor assured of continued sustenance of the administration’s drive to reposition the state health sector as the best in the North East, and Nigeria, stressing to continue to articulate new policies that have direct bearings on the well being of the people and strengthen existing ones to achieve universal health coverage in line with State Developmental Goals Three(3).
Earlier, in his remarks the Commissioner, Ministry of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru said , the mass campaign for vaccination targets women, mothers and children under five across the state.
The health commissioner who commended the zeal put by the present administration in the health sector can not be overemphasised,he further explained that, the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has contained Lassa Fever and has vaccinated many people against Covid-19 including the Governor and his Deputy.
Dr.Habu Dahiru called on Traditional and Religious Leaders to key into the programme by encouraging their subjects to participate in the exercise towards successful implementation.
The Executive Secretary, Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Shuaibu Abdulrahaman said, the exercise shall be carried out in all the 114 wards in the state, covering all the eligible population including mothers, children and adults depending on the vaccination.
He pointed out that Gombe State is lucky to be among the three states in Nigeria, others being Ogun and Lagos where the exercise shall be taking place, Stating that in Gombe it will start on Friday 17th June to 8th July, 2022.
According to the Executive Secretary, Yellow Fever vaccination covers children from 9 months to adults of 44 years, measles is for children of 9 months to 59 months, while Men-A is for children 10-11 years and routine immunization for children 0-23 months. Vitamin-A is to be administered on children of 6-59 months , Covid-19 for adults 18 years and above, Fesolate /Folic for pregnant Mothers, Anti- Malaria drugs for children and pregnant women and Deworming tablets for children.
The Senior District Head of Gombe, Alh. Abdulkadir Abubakar, appreciated the government for having the people of the state at heart and providing vaccination towards improving their health status.
He stressed the need for all Traditional Rulers and Religious leaders to mobilize their subjects towards success of the programme.
Delivering his goodwill message, Mr. Yahaya Ahmed of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, appreciated the efforts of the state government towards advancing the health of citizenry.
Speaking on behalf of the Representatives of Development Partners, Mr. Patrick of World Health Organization commended the state government for embarking on the mass vaccination program and assured of their continued support towards enhancing the livelihood of the people in the state.
Highlight of the event include, administration of vaccines on Women and children as well as drama presentation by Kainuwa Dashen Allah Group and display of cultural dances by Gombe State cultural troupe.
Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau (PhD) represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr. Habu Dahiru flagged off, The Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) in Dukku LGA, stressing that, the May 2022 Out Break Response targets 825,535 under 5 children across all the 11 LGAs in the State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru reiterates, the administration of His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu commitment towards ensuring a healthy population. He called on traditional and religious leaders to monitor and ensure all eligible children receive the polio vaccine.
The Executive Secretary of the SPHCDA, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu called on health workers to ensure they visit all house holds and ensure all children under 5 receive the vaccine. He also called on parents and caregivers to cooperate with health workers.
In his remarks, The Emir of Dukku, HRH Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed appreciated the effort of traditional Rulers, Community leaders for supporting the fight against preventable diseases, calling on the parent’s guardians and the media to continue to support the campaigns to ensure safety of people especially children.
Goodwill messages came from Development Partners including representatives of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary Club International, AFENET, together with the representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The State Coordinator NPHCDA, Alh. Yahaya Ahmed, stressed their continued desire to collaborate with the state Government towards eradicating polio and other preventable diseases
The Executive Secretary Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Abdulrahman Shu’iabu today led a road show amidst staff of the PHC departments, and other community groups to commemorate the African vaccination week. The African Vaccination week is an annual event which holds in the last week of April. The main objective of the week is to sensitize the public about vaccines and their importance to all of us in preventing diseases.
The Malaria Int’l Day is observed on 25th April every year to raise awareness of the global burden of malaria.
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORLD MALARIA DAY:
To renew political commitment and encourage continued investment in malaria prevention and control.
To engage media practitioners to create awareness and sensitize individuals, communities, partners and government as key stakeholders in the fight against Malaria.
Malaria remains a major cause of illness and death in the African region. It is a learning course of mobility and mortality in Nigeria, accounting for about 30% of childhood deaths and 11% of maternal deaths. It is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that about 65 million cases occurred in Nigeria in 2020. It is also estimated that 169,290 death occur in Nigeria annually, 27% of global malaria death.
Furthermore, at least one billion USD is lost each year as a direct result of malaria infections making malaria a leading cause of poverty, low productivity, and reduced school attendance.
THE THEME FOR 2022 WORLD MALARIA COMMEMORATION IS “Advance equity; Build Resilience; End Malaria”.
In Gombe state, there are malaria commodity supplies in almost all Public Health Care facilities across the 114 wards the 11 LGAs. Over the years, the government of Gombe state has demonstrated continued cooperation to the control of malaria with collaboration from NMEP and Global funding in the following areas.
Routine distribution of Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) to pregnant women attending antenatal care and children under the age of 1 year who completed their immunization schedules.
Provision of Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Pregnant Women (IPTp) – Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP)
Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) for children between 3-to-59 months during the peak period of rainy season (targeting more than 800,000) children in 2022 in Gombe state every cycle).
Over 2.3 million Nets were distributed during 2021 ITN Mass Campaign across all communities in the state to prevent Malaria among the populace.
Provision of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) Kits for testing of all fever cases that present to health care facilities.
Provision of Artemis in Based Combination Therapy (ACT) to 352 Public Health Care Facilities in the state.
Provision of Artesunate injection for treatment of severe malaria malaria in all Secondary and Tertiary Health Facilities
Training of about 600 service providers on the management of uncomplicated Malaria, Severe Malaria and malaria in pregnancy across the public Health in the state.
It is therefore important to STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION against Malaria. It is essential that we prevent Malaria by sleeping inside Long-Lasting Nets (LLINs); particularly, among pregnant women and children under 5 years old.
Furthermore, environmental management is also a collective responsibility; this includes effective refuse disposal and waste management covering of water storage containers, clearing of gutters.
On this note, on behalf of Gombe state Primary Health Care Development Agency (GSPHCDA) I implore all and sundry to make adequate use of the measures provided and visit Health Care Facilities whenever they experience fever to confirm if it is Malaria to access proper medication.
AFRICAN VACCINATION WEEK:
> African Vaccination week is an annual event celebrated during the last week of April together with the other WHO Regions.
> It is led and coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa.
> The goal of the AVW is to strengthen immunization programmes in the African Region by increasing awareness of the importance of every person’s need and right to be protected from vaccine preventable diseases.
> It aims at keeping immunization high on the state, national and regional agendas through advocacy and partnerships.
> It also promotes delivery of other high impact lifesaving interventions using Primary Health Care as a core integrated people centred approach.
Finally, I wish to reiterate that the War Against Malaria is one that must be won. Gombe state government is committed to the fight against Malaria and vaccine preventable diseases. We must therefore participate and support government at all levels in ensuring success of the campaign against Malaria.
The Gombe State Task Force on Immunization and PHC held it’s first quarter meeting of the year at the conference room of the Deputy Governor’s office yesterday the 12th of April, 2022.
During his opening remarks, the secretary of the state task force, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu stated that the role of the task force amongst other is to provide leadership and coordination to all PHC activities and also ensure quality implementation of immunization campaigns in the state.
Executive Secretary – GSPHCDA
Dr. Shu’iabu noted that one of the main objectives of the meeting is to update the task force members on PHC performance in the first quarter of 2022. Partners from NPHCDA and WHO gave their good will messages and stated their commitment to ensure they support the state to improve its health outcomes.
The program Manager SERICC, and state coordinator WHO gave presentations on the state performance in the first quarter of 2022.
The Chairman of the task force, H.E, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau appreciated the SPHCDA and noted that the task force will continue to work towards improving PHC performance in the state. He charged the SPHCDA to come up with practical solutions towards achieving it’s target across PHC indicators.
Those present at the meeting include the Honorable commissioners of Health, Information, women affairs, representatives of traditional and religious groups, representatives of security agencies, directors and program officers of the SPHCDA, media organizations amongst others.
