Writing By Ali Muhammad Rabiu, Editing By Godwin Duru
Over 1.2 million pregnant mothers, under-1 and under-5 children in Kwara state have been earmarked for routine immunization within five days in its integrated health outreach programme.
Speaking during the flag-off of the programme in Ilorin, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Professor Nusirat Elelu, said the state government would deploy 1,500 health workers for execution of the programme at both 193 fixed primary healthcare centres and temporary fixed healthcare posts in the state.
She said that the medical services target 166,309 children under-1 year, 831,554 under-5 children and 207,885 pregnant women, among others, adding that the multi-pronged health strategy aimed to serve as mop-up on immunization activities in the state.
The health expert said that the exercise was borne out of shared commitment of the state government to leave no one behind in the quest for a healthier and stronger citizens of the state.
Elelu also said there would be a system for referrals to higher-level medical care when needed.
She explained that the agency has partnered with the state Ministry of Livestock to carry out a Nomadic Outreach Strategy, which is being deployed to remote and underserved nomadic settlements.
According to her, the State Integrated Health Outreach Programme is not a mere exercise but mission with clear and measurable objectives to significantly increase the uptake of routine immunization services across the state.
In her remarks , the Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, urged nursing mothers to resist temptation of selling the drugs .
She advised the beneficiaries to use the drug in accordance with doctor’s prescription.
For her part , the state Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Olubunmi Ajayi, commended the state government’s efforts in prioritising primary healthcare.
COV/ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU
