By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA), State Ministry of Health (SMOH) in collaboration with Partners has flagged-off first round National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) 2025 to eradicate Polio and strengthen Routine Immunization (RI) coverage.
The immunization campaign would commence from 3rd to 6th of May, with health teams in fixed/temporary posts, house to house, and other designated points which include; Churches, Mosques, Schools, Markets, Village Square, Motor parks, and wherever children are found.
Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem noted that the NIPDs campaign serves as a bold reminder of the State’s unwavering commitment to protecting the health and future of children.
She emphasized the importance of reaching every eligible child, especially those in hard-to-reach areas, urban slums, and remote communities.
“Our health workers and community mobilisers have been adequately trained and equipped to carry out this exercise efficiently,” she said.
She urged mothers/caregivers to ensure their children under five years of age get vaccinated during the campaign.
“The fight against vaccine-preventable diseases is a shared responsibility. As Community/Religious leaders, Traditional Rulers and Civil Society actors, we all have a critical role to play in mobilisation,” she added.
National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) Representative, Mr Emeka Ugwu noted that key goals for the NIPDs was to increase immunization coverage, improve health outcomes, and enhance community engagement.
“Its benefits are to protect children from serious illnesses/lifelong disabilities, strengthen communities by building healthier, more resilient populations, and advancing public health by reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases,” he said.
The Mayor, Orumba South LGA, Hon. Shadrach Azubuike urged mothers/caregivers to ensure their child’s immunization status was up to date as vaccination is a life saving intervention in obstructing vaccine preventable diseases.
He appealed to the Traditional Rulers, PGs, and other Stakeholders to ensure full compliance of the immunization campaign in their respective communities.
Deputy Mayor, Orumba South LGA, Mrs Ngozi Obidike urged mothers to aid spread gospel of the immunization to their neighbours, relatives, friends, and everyone around them as immunization was not a one man’s business.
His Royal Majesty, Igwe Livnus Obinna Ezenwa of Umuoma Ancient Kingdom, Orumba South LGA commended the State Government, ASPHCDA, and supporting partners for their tireless efforts in ensuring that children in the State were protected from diseases.
He assured that he would play his role as the Traditional Ruler, with the PGs, Village Chairmen and Vigilant group would work together to ensure that every child was immunized in the area.
The flag-off event was held at the Orumba South Local Government Area (LGA) Secretariat Complex, Umueze.
It had in attendance the LGA Mayor, Deputy Mayor, the LGA Cabinet Members, Traditional Rulers, President Generals (PGs), Women Groups, State/LGA health team, Partners and mothers/caregivers.
