NEWS: FCTA INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO ERADICATE POLIO – AJAKAIYE … TO MMUNIZE CHILDREN IN IDP CAMPS

The Federal Capital Territory Administration will intensify
poliomyelitis immunization exercise throughout the length and breadth
of the Federal Capital Territory in order to completely eradicate the
disease even though it was last reported in Abuja in 2013.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajaikaiye gave this
assurance during the flag-off of the FCT 2016 African Vaccination Week
at Saburi Community, a suburb of Abuja at the weekend.
The Permanent Secretary described the theme of the flag-off “Close the
immunity gap: Stay Polio Free,” as apt; reiterating that the
Administration would provide quality immunization services to all FCT
residents to improve the health and well being of mothers and children
in the Territory.

Dr. Ajakaiye said the Administration would increase access to cost
effective vaccinations against preventable diseases and make life
saving critical health interventions, such as Vitamin A
supplementation, nutritional screening and management.
He disclosed that the Administration would double its efforts aimed at
providing critical information on health education easily available to
all residents.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the focus of the African
Vaccination in FCT is to work together with other stakeholders to
strengthen national immunization programmes in the entire African
region.
He said that the FCT Administration places top priority on the target
of 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 will be created.
Dr. Ajakaiye warned that all the resources provided must be
judiciously utilized to improve the health of all the women and
children in the FCT.
He, thus, called on all residents to avail themselves of the
opportunity to receive immunization services, from the 24th to 30th
April, 2016, in the health camps sited at selected areas including
those in the Internally Displaced Camps, nomadic settlements and other
high risk communities.

He also called for the collaboration and support of the Traditional
rulers, religious leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT
to eradicate polio in Nigeria as projected.
Also speaking at the event, the FCT Acting Secretary of Health & Human
Services, Mrs. Alice Achu said the last case of wild poliovirus was
reported in February 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 immunization services to Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and nomadic settlements with poor
routine immunization coverage.
Muhammad Hazat Sule, FCAI
Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary,
Monday, April 25, 2016.