Lilian Ezejiegu
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has assured health stakeholders of the ministry’s full support towards the success of the forthcoming Measles–Rubella (MR) immunization campaign in the state.
Dr. Mefor gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to his office at the State Secretariat Complex, Awka, by officials of the Ministry of Health and her partners, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Colona Management System, and members of the State Immunization Technical Coordinating Committee.
The commissioner reaffirmed that the mandate of the Ministry of Information is information dissemination and public engagement, stressing that the ministry will deploy all its platforms to ensure accurate information reaches the grassroots. He pledged to provide free airtime on government-owned media stations and ongoing on-air programmes to educate the public on the importance of immunization.
Dr. Mefor commended the Ministry of Health for making the state proud through outstanding performance and national recognition, while also praising Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his investments in the health sector, including the construction of five new general hospitals, the upgrade of three others, free antenatal and delivery services, free drugs for pregnant women, and the state health insurance scheme.
Dr Mefor urged health partners to extend sensitisation efforts beyond government media to traditional rulers, town union leaders, churches, and private media houses, noting that a unified messaging approach would help build public trust and counter misinformation and superstition surrounding immunization.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Obiageri Uchebo Ministry of Health, expressed concern over persistent rumours against immunization in the South-East, which she said have affected vaccine uptake in recent times.
Also speaking, the State Immunization Officer (SIO) and member of the Technical Coordinating Committee for the MR campaign, Onwuka Edith, said that the nationwide Measles–Rubella campaign will hold in Anambra State from January 4 to 14, targeting 3,202,136 children aged 9 months to 14 years. She explained that measles-rubella, commonly known as German measles, can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) if contracted by pregnant women, resulting in birth defects.
Officials of the Ministry of Health and partners, including Dr. Winnie of WHO and Dr. Charles Chilaka of UNICEF, appealed for collaboration in information dissemination. They emphasized the need for free media slots, radio jingles, public announcements, and the use of social media platforms to build public confidence in the vaccine.
They warned that failure to achieve 95 percent herd immunity could expose the population to outbreaks, stressing the need for collective action to ensure the success of the campaign.
They also presented information materials and tabloids to Commissioner Mefor.
Lilian is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
