Wife of Kwara Governor and Founder, Ajike People Support Center, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has described the Measles-Rubella Vaccine, MRV, as a life-saving intervention for children and families in the state.
AbdulRazaq said this at the flag-off of the MRV campaign in Ilorin on Friday, where she said that the introduction of the combined Measles-Rubella Vaccine marks an important step in improving child health and closing gaps in immunization coverage.
The governor’s wife emphasized that the vaccine rollout would help protect every child, mother, and family, bringing the state and the nation closer to achieving the goal of eliminating measles and rubella
She commended the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and partner organizations for their efforts in rolling out the new vaccine across the state
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The Permanent Secretary of the Kwara Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, who represented the Commissioner, Dr Aminat El-Imam said the Integrated Measles-Rubella ‘MR’ and Polio Vaccination Campaign, was aimed at protecting children in the 16 local government areas of the state from preventable diseases.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary HealthCare, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said the agency would deploy 8,657 trained personnel, including health workers, supervisors, and security personnel to carry out the vaccination.
Prof. Elelu said Rubella poses a serious risk to pregnant women, such as miscarriage, fetal death, or the birth of infants with Congenital Rubella Syndrome, CRS.
“Measles remains one of the most contagious and fatal viral diseases affecting young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and highly effective vaccine.
“Between years 2000 and 2023, it is estimated that measles vaccination alone averted over 60 million deaths globally. Yet, the disease remains endemic in many developing countries, particularly Africa and Asia”, she said.
The executive secretary assured that the agency would not rest on its oars to safeguard the people’s health.
She said that immunization, ante-natal and all non-complicated delivery are given free of charge across primary healthcare centers, PHCs in the state.
Elelu commended Gov. AbdulRazaq for his huge investments in the health sector, and his Deputy, Mr. Kayode Alabi, who is the Chairman of the State Task Force on Immunization and PHC, for the untiring support.
“We are extremely grateful to Her Excellency, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, whose relentless advocacy for maternal and child health has been a beacon of hope for our communities,” the executive secretary said.
Speaking on the importance of the campaign, the Social and Behavior Change Specialist of United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, Ibrahim Mohammed, warned that measles, rubella, and polio continue to pose significant health threats to children despite global progress.
Mohammed urged parents, caregivers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community heads to mobilize full participation in the vaccination exercise, while also calling on the media and civil society organizations to help counter misinformation and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Also speaking, the Emir of Tsonga, Dr Haliru Yahyah, warned that pregnant women infected with rubella risk serious complications during pregnancy.
Yahyah stressed that vaccination remains the only effective means of prevention and urged expectant mothers and parents not to discourage their children from receiving the vaccine.
NAN
