Abuja – The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajaikaiye, has assured of sustained poliomyelitis immunisation throughout the territory in order to completely eradicate the disease.
Ajaikaiye gave the assurance during the inauguration of the FCT 2016 African Vaccination Week at Saburi Community on Tuesday in Abuja.
The scribe described the theme: “Close the immunity gap: Stay Polio Free” as apt.
He said that the administration would provide quality immunisation services to all FCT residents to improve the health and well being of mothers and children in the territory.
“FCTA will increase access to cost effective vaccinations against preventable diseases; and make life saving critical health interventions, such as Vitamin A supplements, nutritional screening and management readily available.
“This administration will double its efforts at providing critical information on health education easily available to all residents,’’ he said.
The permanent secretary explained that the focus of the African Vaccination in FCT is to work together with other stakeholders to strengthen national immunisation programmes in the entire African region.
He said that the FCTA places top priority on attaining Polio eradication and certification in Nigeria by 2017 and is therefore working to ensure availability of all relevant supplies to meet the demand that may arise.
Ajakaiye warned that all the resources provided must be judiciously utilised to improve the health of all the women and children in the FCT.
He called on all residents to avail themselves of the opportunity to receive immunisation services.
The exercise would last between April 24 and 30, in the health camps sited at selected areas, including IDPs, nomadic settlements and other high risk communities.
He also called for collaboration and support of traditional rulers, religious leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT to eradicate polio in Nigeria as projected.
Also speaking, the FCT Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mrs Alice Odey-Chu, said the last case of wild poliovirus was reported in Feb. 2013 in the FCT, which she attributed to the collaborative efforts of government and other partners.
She explained that as part of activities for the FCT 2016 Vaccination Week, the FCTA would provide immunisation services to IDPs camps and nomadic settlements with poor routine immunisation coverage. (NAN)
