From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The Borno State government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have adopted a new approach to immunisation, targeting 2.1 million children against preventable diseases through community youth advocacy teams.
The Officer-in-Charge, UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Mr Joseph Senesie, disclosed this on Tuesday in Maiduguri at the launch of the new initiative for immunisation of underserved communities, aiming to reach 2.1 million children in the state.
“We have adopted an innovative approach, where UNICEF is working with youths in Borno State to ensure children are vaccinated. As you all know, vaccination is critical to prevent disease, and we are talking about children who have never received vaccination, zero-dose,” he announced.
He said the initiative, themed The Adopt-A-PHC Naija Challenge, is to address the immunisation gap and ensure children are vaccinated against measles, polio, and other preventable diseases.
“We are planning to immunise 2.1 million children against preventable deaths,” Senesie explained.
The UNICEF chief also explained that 30 youths drawn from community vanguards will work with health workers in Maiduguri metropolis and the adjoining Jere Local Government to drive the vaccination campaigns at 10 primary healthcare facilities.
According to him, “UNICEF is providing technical capacity and the necessary financial support through donors, in particular the Canadian government.”
A brief by the global body indicates that the exercise is a three-month advocacy challenge for 10 teams of young people who will adopt a Primary Health Centre/community and improve the number of children vaccinated.
UNICEF said the team with the greatest improvement will be commended and share its tactics during the close-out event at the end of three months.