A call has gone to parents and care givers to present children 0-5 years for Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV) against wild polio virus to avert infant deformity and death.
Head of Department (HOD) Health Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Mrs. Callista Chimezie made the call while monitoring the progress of first round 2013 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) in the area.
She stated that other routine antigens against Measles, Yellow Fever, Whooping Cough, Tuberculosis (TB), Diphtheria (DPT), Hepatitis B and Tetanus would be administered during the 4-day programme billed to end 5th February, 2013 and charged health workers to ensure total coverage.
The HOD appealed to communities and wards to co-operate with the vaccination team and allow children take the vaccines which she affirmed the efficacy and safety.
She prayed stateholders to support government initiative to reduce infant and maternal mortality to the barest minimum by mobilizing communities and wards to maintain polio free status.
Mrs. Chimezie appreciated state and federal governments, World Health Organization (WHO) and donor agencies for their commitment to eradication of polio.
On her part, the state facilitator, Mrs. Joy Nwahihia reiterated that the vaccines are free, pointing out that failure to present children for immunization would be inexcusable.
She enjoined pregnant and nursing mothers to take antenatal and neonatal treatment seriously and stressed need to patronize health centres for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking, the Health Sister-in-charge of Maternal and Child Health, Mrs. Joy Onyemegbulem harped on family planning for desired child spacing and healthy living and advocated chastity among couples to forestall HIV/AIDS infection.
She urged the the public to avail the opportunity of free HIV/AIDS Testing and Counselling to know their status and jettison risky behaviours.
