By Nnedinma Okeke/Grace Onwukwe :
The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with Partners has held a one-day Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) planning meeting for Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) which entail the upcoming Integrated Measles campaign in the State.
The meeting which was held in Awka, was with the State Social Mobilisation Committee (SSMC) Stakeholders and Health Education Officers from across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.
The meeting objectives were to update participants on lessons learned on the implementation of ACSM activities from the 2023 SIAs, and to sensitize participants on ACSM activities that are to be implemented at State, LGA and Ward levels for 2024 Integrated SIAs.
Also, to update participants on the state of preparedness for 2024 Integrated SIAs.
The Director, Disease Control and Immunization, ASPHCDA, Dr Nnamdi Placid Uliagbafusi while thanking the participants for their attendance to the program noted that the essence of the exercise was to immunise children and protect them from vaccine preventable diseases.
He urged the Stakeholders to use their various platforms to spread the gospel of the upcoming campaign to ensure that all eligible children of nine to 59 months received the measles vaccine in the State.
The UNICEF SBC Consultant for the Measles vaccination campaign in the State, Dr Uju Eze emphasized that the Integrated SIAs aims toward addressing immunity gaps in the population not reached by Routine Immunization (RI).
“This is with the objective of achieving 95% vaccination coverage for Measles using opportunities provided by the campaign to strengthen health systems,” she said.
The participants while pledging their support to the program, assured that they would play their role in ensuring success of the Measles vaccination campaign in Anambra State.
The meeting had in attendance; State Health Educator- Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, Anambra Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman- Ven. Joseph Nweke, Chairman Anambra CSO Network- Prince Chris Azor.
Also, NOA Representative- Mrs Ngozi Ezenwaka, Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Information, Women Affairs and ASUBEB, others.
*Nnedinma and Grace are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State