From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State First Lady and wife of the state governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has tasked mothers in the state on the need to ensure the eradication of polio and other life- threatening diseases in the state by presenting their children for immunisation.
This she emphasised, had become imperative for the future health and well-being of the next generation to be secured.
Mrs. Otti stated this during the flag-off ceremony of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs), held at the Aba South Local Government secretariat, organised by the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other critical stakeholders.
Represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, Mrs. Otti reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to child health in Abia State.
She expressed the urgent need for zero tolerance for polio, insisting that every child must have unhindered access to immunisation.
She commended Governor Alex Otti for his steadfast leadership and prioritisation of children’s health, citing the free availability of vaccines at primary healthcare centres and the ongoing retrofitting of health facilities across the state as great interventions.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Enoch Uche, represented by the Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Professor Ijeoma Nduka, lauded the health sector reforms of the Otti administration.
He singled out the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme and the upgrading of primary healthcare centres as strategic measures to strengthen healthcare delivery and safeguard the lives of Abians.
Executive Secretary of Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, highlighted the state’s commitment to achieving total polio eradication.
He urged parents and caregivers to take full advantage of the Immunisation Plus days, assuring that trained vaccinators would reach every home and ensured no child was left behind.