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.