Benin city – As part of efforts to ensure a successful 2016 National Measles Vaccination Campaign Scheduled to hold in Edo State from, January 28 – February 1, 2016, Edo State Ministry of Health yesterday, held a one Day Sensitation meeting for Local Government Chairmen in the State.
Declaring the meeting open, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Aihanuwa Eregie appealed to all Loca1 Government Chairmen in the State to show more commitment and support toward the implementation of the immunization exercise in their respective Local Government Areas as the programme was aimed at enhancing the well-being of Children.
The Commissioner enjoined them to personally inaugurate the programme in their respective domain, monitor the exercise along with their council, create awareness as well as to provide finance and logistics support for the routine immunization.
She also encourage them, as critical shareholder, to ensure mothers and care caregivers brings their children out during the exercise, pointing out that the campaign was designed to reinforce the routine immunization exercise which would remain the main strategy of reaching the children.
Dr. Eregie commended the councils Chairmen for their continued support to primary Health care activities, especially immunization services, saying that this is another opportunity to restate their commitment to the health of the people
The Health commissioner used the opportunity to brief the chairmen on the outbreak of Lassa fever in the State and to seek their collaboration in the campaign against the spread.
She advised the people of the state to stop eating or having contacts with rats, exposing their food and drinks to rats, keep their houses and environment clean, as well to stop bush burning as it could drive rats into their homes.
She also urged them to report all suspected cases to the nearest health centre without delay.
In their respective reactions, the local Government chairmen promised to do their best to ensure the exercise is successful in their areas, as well as to do everything within their reach to strengthen immunization and other PHC activities in their areas.