From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor’s wife, Mrs Mary-Maudlin Nwifuru, has flagged off a sensitisation/awareness campaign against measles and rubella in the state.
Flagging off the campaign at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki, yesterday, Mrs Nwifuru said it was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
She noted that measles and rubella were preventable and advocated for regular application of vaccines on children to prevent the diseases
“Today marks a significant step in our efforts to create awareness and sensitisation of vaccines ahead of the October 25 massive vaccination against measles and rubella.
“Government would continue to invest in immunisation, all government appointees have a role to play in ensuring the success of the campaign,” she said.
Mrs Nwifuru said the advocacy/sensitisation campaign would focus on the use of radio/television outlets, community engagement and outreach by health workers to reach out to the grassroots.
“As an advocate of maternal and child health, the campaign aligns with the vision of Renewed Hope Initiative and BERWO Foundation.
“Vaccine is a life saver. It is not meant to kill anybody. I urge all parents and caretakers to bring their children to the nearest vaccination centre.”
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, stated that the essence of the gathering was for awareness and sensitisation creation on measles and rubella vaccine.
He emphasised that the awareness campaign commenced early enough in order to take the message to the villages.
“We discovered that some people do not accept vaccination for their children because they were not informed before the health workers visit them for vaccination.
“We do not want any single case of measles in Ebonyi State because measles is a killer of children; it is preventable.
“We are talking about this ailment because it is a killer of our children, by October, there will be mass vaccination of children,” he stated.
In an address, the World Health Organisation Surveillance Officer, Dr Elandi Dadi, noted that the endemic rate of measles had reduced drastically due to intensive campaigns.
“Ebonyi State in 2022 recorded 322 suspected cases of measles with 49 confirmed cases.
“In 2023, it came down to 118 suspected cases with 19 confirmed; WHO embarked on this campaign because of its outbreak.
“In 2024, we had about 86 suspected cases with only one confirmed, you can see that there is downward reduction”
He said the WHO strategic programme 2023- 2030 was geared towards eradicating measles.
In a lecture delivered by the President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Dr Ndidiamaka Lilian Nwaobashi, titled, “Benefits of Vaccines Measles and Rubella,” harps on the need for mothers and caregivers to report early detection to the hospital.
Mrs Nwaobashi identified high fever, rashes, cough, catarrh and reddish of the eyes as major symptoms of measles.
“The difference between measles and rubella is traceable in the way they present to their victims, vaccination is the cure for both.”
Contributing, the Ebonyi State Immunisation Officer, Mr Nwodom Christopher, said the target for Ebonyi State is children between nine and 15 months.
“Ebonyi State has 352,000 children to be vaccinated. Our target is to ensure that those children are being reached.
“We are starting the sensitisation activity now at the state, wards and the grassroots, by October 2025, the implementation proper would come up”
It would be noted that the Federal Government has slated October as the date for the take off of massive vaccination of children between five and 15 months against measles and rubella.