By Nnedinma Okeke
The Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and Partners has held a one-day State Social Mobilization Committee (SSMC) meeting for upcoming second round 2025 National Immunizations Plus Days (NIPDs 2) in Anambra State.
The meeting held at ASPHCDA office complex, Awka had in attendance State team, Partners: WHO, UNICEF, NPHCDA and Stakeholders to include: Representative of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Media.
Also, Representatives from Line Ministries and Agencies such as: Ministries of Education, Information, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, ASUBEB, and Red Cross society, among others.
The meeting was used to sensitize Stakeholders on the upcoming second round NIPDs which aims to vaccinate children aged zero to 59 months with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) irrespective of previous immunization status.
It is to commence on June 28 to July 1 in health facilities, fixed/temporary posts, house to house, churches, schools, markets, village square, motor parks, and wherever children are found.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, Dr Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi noted that the SSMC meeting was to engage and sensitize the Stakeholders on the campaign.
“This is to enable them to use their structures in ensuring that the immunization messages gets to every nooks and crannies of the State.”
The Permanent Secretary, SMOH, Pharm Obiageli Uchebo noted that to ensure 98 per cent success story from the campaign, there was need for partnership with the Stakeholders as they play an important role.
She said advocacies to the Ministry of Education, Church leaders and with aid of press/media men sensitising and informing the people of the campaign would ensure of its success.
The WHO Anambra State Coordinator, Dr Bonos Mohammed, noting that the campaign was in the direct interest of children, urged that the SSMC meeting be impactful with the Stakeholders bringing change through Mobilization.
According to him, WHO would continue to support the program as Polio eradication is a top priority for the Nigerian Government and they work for them and the Nigerian Child.
A Representative from Onitsha Catholic ArchDiocese, Rev. Sister Winifred Ngozi Maduouba suggested that campaign notification letters addressed to the Bishop should also be copied to Health Coordinator and Priest in charge of Education in the ArchDiocese.
“The Agency can also write to the Mother General: the Superior General of the different congregations, so that they pass the information to Sisters in charge of primary schools in the area as this would gear proper dissemination of the immunisation information,” she added.
Other Stakeholders while pledging their support in ensuring success of the campaign in their localities also suggested ways of better outcomes of the campaign.
The NIPDs campaign is aimed at ensuring that no child was left behind in collective efforts to end Polio, strengthening Routine Immunization (RI) coverage. It serves to protect the health and future of children.
Nnedinma is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
