- insists Ondo must achieve 100% coverage
Ahead of the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign scheduled for January 2026, the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency has held a strategic meeting with Local Governments Chairmen and Civil Society Organisations to ensure full mobilisation and statewide participation.
Speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, described the LGs Chairmen as critical stakeholders in the health sector who must be adequately briefed ahead of the exercise.
He stressed that Ondo State is determined to achieve 100 per cent vaccination coverage, noting that the Chairmen, as leaders at the grassroots, are essential to mobilising residents.
Akanbiemu warned that measles poses severe risks, including blindness, brain damage and permanent disabilities, adding that many affected persons do not survive the infection.
He explained further that a female child who is not vaccinated against rubella may grow into adulthood with the infection and risk giving birth to a baby with congenital disabilities or heart defects.
Also, he noted that although the vaccine is very expensive, the government has taken responsibility for making it available at no cost to beneficiaries.
The Permanent Secretary also condemned the manipulation of data in some states, emphasising that Ondo State has consistently recorded genuine results and earned recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) and development partners without falsifying records.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of Akure South Local Government and ALGON Chairman in the State, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, commended the Agency for its record in routine immunisation. He pledged the full support of all LG Chairmen towards ensuring the success of the Measles-Rubella campaign.
Also speaking, the representative of the World Health Organization, Dr. (Mrs) Modupe Olasore, said the meeting was aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the need for active participation. She noted that Ondo State has an advantage, as its turn falls in the second phase of the national campaign, giving the State an opportunity to learn from the challenges encountered by states in the first phase.
Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Victor Adefesoye, described the Chairmen as owners of the programme. He urged them to ensure close monitoring, supervision, provision of security, crisis resolution and active participation in evening review meetings, adding that their attendance would form part of the criteria for national performance ratings.
Present at the meeting were Directors from the Agency, Health Educators from the 18 LGAs, and representatives of UNICEF, NPHCDA, the Christian Health Association of Nigeria, and School Health Officers.
The Hope.
