By Orakwue Lilian
The Mayor of Anaocha Local Government Area,Hon Rome Ibekwe has inaugurated a task force committee for the effective awareness creation and sensitization of the upcoming immunization programme against Polio in the council area.
The event which was held at the Local Government Secretariat, Neni featured Health Workers, Traditional Rulers, Church Leaders, Councillors,some members of the Local Government Administration, Community Leaders,Youth leaders, Women Leaders and Journalists, aimed at sensitizing the communities of the importance of the polio vaccine on their children.
Speaking at the event, Hon Ibekwe stressed the need for the task force committee to give more awareness on the importance of the free,safe and effective vaccine against Polio, noting that his administration has given priority to the health sector in the council area, which includes the recent free enrollment of over 1000 Ndi Anaocha into the State Health Insurance Scheme(ASHIA) and renovation of health centres in the towns.
The LGA boss who extolled the state governor, Prof Charles Soludo for his commitments in the state health sector which has earned him accolades in and outside the state, called for synergy with the churches and schools for effective coverage of the sensitization of the campaign.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Intergrated Disease Survelance Consultant for Anambra State, Mrs Truth Ezeudeoye commended the mayor for his commitment to the good health of his people and the health workers of Anaocha for their diligence in the discharge of their duties,but pointed out that Anaocha still have some areas of poor routine immunization(RI) coverage, emphasised need for more sensitization on the importance of the vaccine, noting that the Polio vaccination campaign will start on the 3rd of May and will last for six days.
She charged parents to bring out their children to be vaccinated, reiterating that every child needs a minimum of three rounds of the vaccination for effective eradication .
Responding,the Anaocha Local Government Primary Health Care Director,Mrs Ifeyinwa Anigbogu appreciated the mayor for his achievements and support to the Anaocha Health sector, commending also the Deputy Mayor, Peter Emene (Esq),who is also the chairman of the committee,and the Local Government Supervisory Councillor for Health,Hon Ekene Ezejelue for their contributions to the well-being of the sector. She urged members of the committee to effectively discharge their duties for more healthy Anaocha that will be Polio and other preventable disease free.
- Orakwue is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
