The Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has urged mothers in the state to ensure that their children participate in the immunization exercise towards sustaining Imo as a polio-free state.
The state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who made the call while flagging off the 2013 Maternal, New Born and Child Health Week (MNCHW) at Nwaorieubi, in Mbaitoli Local Government Headquarters said that the exercise will go a long way to reduce physical disability in the state.
“The time has come for us to help our children, future of our children must be guaranteed. I therefore appeal to mothers to take the issue of immunization very seriously.”
Governor Okorocha called on all the stakeholders in the state to embark on massive awareness campaign of polio eradication, to enable parents understand the need for proper child immunization.
In his speech, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere advised pregnant women to attend ante-natal clinic in order to ensure safe delivery and stressed the need for parents to take advantage of the exercise.
Also speaking, the state commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Obi Njoku said that the MNCH week is a strategy designed to accelerate child survival and development with the ultimate goal of reduction in child mortality, adding that it is a regular event organized to deliver integrated package of preventive exercise known to be low cost but high impact on maternal and child health.
The Health commissioner said that the exercise will as usual administer vitamin “A” supplement to children 6months – 59months of age, routine immunization vaccines to children less than one year who have not completed their routine immunization schedule and other child survival interaction like de-worming.
In his address, the SOLAD of Mbaitoli, Chief Anthony Emmanuel Ihenakwe said the Mbaitoli people are appreciative of the Donor Agencies such as World health Organization (WHO) National Primary healthcare Development Agency in their continued efforts to reduce maternal, New Born and Child Morbidity and mortality in the country.
MBISIKE SN
Government House Press
June 10, 2013
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