BY EDWARD OSEGHE
The Edo State Government, in collaboration with local and international health partners, has launched a two-day orientation workshop to build capacity ahead of the 2026 Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign.
The training, which held in Benin City, was organized through the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), in partnership with the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), Africa Saving Lives Konsult (ASLK), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF.
The workshop brought together IVAC Technical Assistants from five priority Local Government Areas: Ovia South West, Owan East, Esan West, Orhionmwon, and Egor.
Declaring the workshop open, NPHCDA Zonal Technical Officer, Mr. Jerry Osawe, underscored the critical role of collaboration in achieving immunization targets.
Training sessions focused on developing micro-plans, implementation strategies, advocacy, community engagement, data monitoring, and accurate reporting.
State Technical Assistant, Dr. Rachel Osagie, conducted a practical session on micro-plan data verification, while participants were briefed on their pre-implementation responsibilities.
These include ward-level validation, stakeholder mobilization, reactivation of community health committees, and updates to school health contact lists.
The workshop concluded with a post-training evaluation to assess the readiness of participants for their upcoming fieldwork.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government also joined the global community in commemorating World Breastfeeding Week 2025, themed: “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”
The celebration took place at the New Era Primary Healthcare Centre, New Benin, Benin City.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia, the Director of Community and Family Health Services, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, highlighted the life-saving benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, which provides essential nutrients and immune protection to infants.
Oredo LGA Medical Officer, Dr. Ehimwenma Usiosefe, called on families to support mothers in adopting exclusive breastfeeding, while Chairman of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (Edo Chapter), Mr. James Uwaifo, advised that infants be breastfed every two to three hours to ensure optimal growth.
Also speaking, State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Amenze Phil-Imade, cautioned against giving infants water, noting that breast milk alone is sufficient during the first six months of life.
Community Health Officer, Mrs. Osaigbovo Florence, facilitated an interactive session on effective breastfeeding techniques and answered questions from participating mothers.
The event was attended by representatives of EDSPHCDA, UNICEF, the Oredo Local Government Council, and mothers from the surrounding community.
