Cross River to vaccinate 900,000 children against wild Poliomyelitis Type 2
Oru Leonard
Approximately 900,000 children between the ages of 0-59 months in Cross River State, NIgeria are set to be vaccinated against Poliomyelitis, one of the deadliest disease in the history of mankind as the Obol Opol of Ugep flags of exercise in his Palace at Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.
Dr Janet Ekpenyong, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency said it was not just an epoch making event but historic because according to her , “the role of the traditional rulers can never be over emphasized especially in delivering quality and productive Healthcare to citizens”.
She urged parents and caregivers to protect the lives of the next generation by granting them the opportunity to get vaccinated within the stipulated time citing example with the Obol Opol who has often led in the mobilization of children within his Community for similar exercises.
She also said immunization is the right of a child so no child should be deprived. She also chipped that the state government with support from partner agencies have mapped out strategies to get all children vaccinated irrespective of weather conditions, topographical challenges as well as other surmountable barriers which hindered accessibility and 100% coverage in the time past.
Dr Ekpenyong said with the commitment of health workers and compelling voices from strategic leaders like the Traditional Rulers council, Religious leaders, Government functionaries, Youths and Women leaders, the State has remained Poliomyelitis free despite panicking figures from some States of the federation.
According to her, with the devastating effects of the Disease to children within 0-59 months which includes economic, psychological and general well-being, all hands must be on deck for continuous and non stop advocacies and sensitization in churches, schools , markets and other places of public gathering.
She appreciated the efforts of His Royal Majesty, the Obol Opol of Ugep in identifying with the health sector as his continuous advocacies has led to the advancement of the health sector in Yakurr Local Government Area as well as the state at large.
