Cross River kicks off poliomyelitis vaccination programme, targets 900,000 children
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has kicked off the vaccination of about 900,000 children against poliomyelitis.
The children targeted in the exercise are between the ages of zero to 59 months (0-59 months) and the programme is under the Phase One of the Out Break Response (OBR1), immunization programme against polio in Cross River State.
The programme was flagged off by the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount ruler of Yakurr local government area His Royal Majesty, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng alongside the Director General, Cross River Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong.
Speaking during the flag off, Dr. Ekpenyong said the exercise is kicking off in Ugep because of the role the traditional institution plays in healthcare delivery.
According to her, “The traditional institution plays a huge role. That is why we consider you a very important partner, to this particular intervention.
“Polio has caused a lot of psychological, emotional and physical damages to families over the years, and we know. as a state we have been able to overcome to type one, type two type three, and and recently, the world health organization certified us polio-free.
“We are hereby targeting children between 0-59 months. That’s because children are the most likely to have poliomyelitis. Please prevention is better than cure, so ensure your kids are vaccinated, it is free and priceless.
“We are focusing on children of age zero to 59 months, and we are targeting about 900,000 children, in Cross River State. We began on the 9th of April and was scheduled to end on the 12th of April, with two additional days to mop-up, so there has been a lot of sensitisation on this exercise already”, she said.
On his part, the Obol Lopon of Ugep, Obol Ofem Ubala Eteng, said:”Because health is wealth, we have taken part in several health programmes and we are still ready to take part in many more, especially the ones that concern children, because children are the leaders of tomorrow.
“In Yakurr we are always ready to receive you anytime anywhere. Even if you just give us 12 hours notice, we will host whatever function you want us to host, because health is wealth; if you are healthy, you will make money, but if you are sick, you cannot make any progress.
“That is why each time they ask us to host any health programme, we run and catch it on the air, because we want to be very healthy people.
“Whatever programme that is about children am always very interesting to come and stand before you, and tell them the benefits, I have told my people, that Polio is true, but the vaccination is very efficient and effective,” he said.