Niger Council of traditional rulers Chairman endorses  Measles

…..Rubella vaccine as State  flag off Immunization in 25 LGAS.

By Daniel Ebi,  Minna 

In  a concerted effort towards ensuring wide acceptance of the  Measles- Rubella vaccination,  the Chairman of the Niger State Council of traditional rulers , and Etsu Nupe,  Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has endorsed the vaccine.  

This was at  formal flagged off ceremony of the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign for children aged 9 months to 14 years in the 25 local government areas.

The flag-off ceremony which was performed by wife of the Niger state Governor, Hajiya Fatima Umar Bago in Bida which is  to protect thousands of children from preventable diseases.

Speaking at the ceremony, she described the Measles-Rubella disease as a major threat to young children’s lives.

The State First Lady appealed to mothers to visit the nearest vaccination centres saying “the community’s role in ensuring no child is left behind”.

In his goodwill message, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar described the exercise as a milestone in the health sector.

The royal father called on mothers to turn out en-masse, the Etsu Nupe said the vaccine is vital for protection against prevalent diseases.

According to him “it is our responsibility to ensure that our children benefit from this important exercise, I want you all to tell you that the vaccine is good for our children and does not affect human development.”

Speaking earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam, confirmed the goal is to vaccinate all eligible children to reduce maternal, morbidity, and mortality rates.

According to him,  the campaign, which covers all 274 wards across the state, is an opportunity to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), malaria, Human papilivirus (HPV) and other routine immunizations.

Dr. Usman then disclosed that the State Government has provided all necessary resources for the campaign’s success.

In her goodwill message, Chief of Kaduna Field Office United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Dr Gerida Birukila represented by Health Specialist Dr Ahmed Tsofo reiterated their commitments in the fight against Measles/Rubella diseases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), AFENET, GAVI and other development partners pledged their continued support.