From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State’s First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has urged mothers to ensure their children are immunised to eradicate polio and other life-threatening diseases. She stressed that this is vital to secure the future health and well-being of the next generation.
Mrs Otti spoke during the flag-off of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) at the Aba South Local Government Secretariat. The event was organised by the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key stakeholders.
Represented by Mrs Adaeze Emetu, the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Otti reaffirmed her commitment to child health in Abia. She called for zero tolerance for polio and insisted that every child must have access to immunisation. She praised Governor Alex Otti for prioritising children’s health, noting the free vaccines available at primary healthcare centres and the ongoing upgrades to health facilities across the state.
Dr Enoch Uche, the Commissioner for Health, represented by Professor Ijeoma Nduka, Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, commended the Otti administration’s health sector reforms. He highlighted the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme and the upgrading of primary healthcare centres as key steps to improve healthcare delivery and protect Abians’ lives.
Dr Kalu Ulu Kalu, Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, emphasised the state’s goal of fully eradicating polio. He encouraged parents and caregivers to participate in the Immunisation Plus Days, assuring them that trained vaccinators would reach every home to ensure no child is missed.