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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said it’s working closely and effectively with northern traditional leaders under the umbrella of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on PHC delivery to strengthen basic health care services in the region.
Both parties renewed the commitment at the fourth quarterly meeting of the NTLC, held in Abuja, on Monday, where they agreed that there was need for improved advocacy and sensitization programmes for the people particularly at the rural communities.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, in his opening remarks, asked the traditional leaders to leverage on the loyalty and respect they enjoy from their people to promote good health practices in their communities.
He was concerned with the issues of vaccination, antenatal, postnatal, and other basic health care services that are provided at the PHC level vis-a-vis the quality of the services being provided as well as acceptance.
He, thus challenged the traditional leaders to assist in breaking the myths associated with vaccine, restrategize on ways to reach out to the communities and individuals with information on the efficacy of vaccines.
He made reference to the recently introduced Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which has proven to be efficient and effective in fighting the virus that causes cervical cancer. “Type 2 polio is still spreading in the northwest and northeast, and that could be linked to complacency in our responses.”
Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, in his remarks, admitted that significant improvement has been made over the years that culminated in the defeat of wild polio virus, but highlighted that the region is still being ravaged by several communicable and non-communicable diseases that could have been tackled with vaccines and other preventive measures.
He maintained that vaccine is safe and effective against many of the communicable diseases that are causing the death of children, hence they should up their beat to promote vaccination among the people. “During my recent visit to Maiduguri, I discovered that 80 per cent of children with diphtheria were unvaccinated. That shouldn’t be.”
He reminded the Royal Fathers that more work is required from them particularly in managing infodemics, neutralizing the myths and other misinformation that had discouraged people from patronizing the PHCs for vaccinations and other related health care services.
“Undoubtedly, you have assisted us in interrupting the wild polio virus through vaccines. However, there’s a lot to do in the period ahead particularly in managing the HPV vaccine information. Just last week, we signed the compact with states and development partners. This will help in reducing maternal and child mortality, improve immunization, reduce communicable and non-communicable diseases.”
Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, on his side, said the Agency has set a target for itself which is to expand access to PHC services in Nigeria and strengthen them to be able to mount and detect outbreak of epidemics and pandemics.
“So far, we have vaccinated over 4.7 million adolescent girls with HPV vaccine. This has surpassed our target for the period. These adolescent girls have, undoubtedly, received protection from future risk of cervical cancer.
“We count on you to let the people know that HPV vaccine is safe and effective against cervical cancer especially as we plan to expand the services to the rest of the states in the new year. There are challenges but we would conquer through your help.”
He maintained that NTLC is a beckon of hope for the nation in its quest to provide quality and affordable health care services. “I am committed to working closely with you to ensure that we improve our health care services.”
