By Chukwuemeka Orji/Chineze Onukwuba/Florence Okpeti
The Awka South Mayor, Prince Chinedu Okafor, has called on community leaders to intensify grassroots campaigns against Measles and Rubella, describing the diseases as highly contagious and deadly.
Speaking through the Supervisor for Health, Sir Frank Ajazu, at a sensitization meeting held at the Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCH), Amawbia, the mayor emphasized the importance of community involvement in ensuring the success of the vaccination exercise scheduled to commence on February 4 and run for 10 days.
Ajazu noted that the South East region is privileged to participate in the exercise sponsored by UNICEF. He stressed that community leaders must take the vaccination message to the grassroots, ensuring accurate information reaches households to counter misinformation.
Mrs. Ifoama Igbojekwe, Social Mobilization Officer (SMO), highlighted the need to bridge communication gaps that often hinder vaccination campaigns. She urged leaders to provide correct information about the vaccines and actively dispel fake rumours circulating within communities.
“You are our eyes in the grassroots. We are counting on you to sensitize the people across Awka South. That is your mandate,” she said.
In his remarks, Onyebuchukwu Chukwuma, LGA Consultant for the Measles and Rubella Campaign (CMS UNICEF), commended the community leaders for their commitment. He assured them of UNICEF’s continuous support to ensure the vaccination exercise thrives across communities.
The campaign aims to achieve widespread immunization coverage, protect children, and reduce the risk of outbreaks in Awka South and beyond.
The officers are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
