IMSUBEB To Support ISPHCDA On Yellow Fever, Measles Vaccination

By Sampson Uhuegbu, Owerri

As Imo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ISPHCDA), launches campaign for the vaccination of children and adults against yellow fever and measles by November 2021, Imo State Universal Basic Education (IMSUBEB), has promised to give the agency necessary support to enable it carry out a successful and effective exercise.

The assurance for total support for free vaccination of Imo citizens, was given by the Executive Chairman of IMSUBEB, Dr Ada Okwuonu, when she received in audience a team of health workers from ISPHCDA and NPHCDA who paid the board a courtesy visit, in Owerri, last week.

The IMSUBEB Executive Chairman, who was represented by the Secretary of the board, Hon Chidiebere Ebo, hinted that the exercise was a welcomed development, affirming that “ISPHCDA has been carrying out immunization exercise against diseases. We will give you 100% support to enable you push forward in order to rid yellow fever and measles of the state”.

Adding his voice, Board Member, IMSUBEB for Okigwe Zone and Chairman, local Government Area Public Enlightenment IMSUBEB, Hon Bright Nwachukwu, charged ISPHCDA to reach out to the parents of pupils and students to inform them of the need for the vaccination, saying due publicity through the media and the church will clear doubts in the public.

Earlier, Director, Disease Control and Immunization with Imo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Odom Uchechukwu, mentioned that the team paid the courtesy call to advocate to IMSUBEB about the forthcoming of yellow fever and measles vaccination campaign which he noted is expected to begin in November, 2021.

Disclosing that people between age group of nine months to forty four years (children and adults) are going to be immunized, Odom stated that “IMSUBEB is key to the campaign because all primary schools in the state are under it. Hence we are here to intimate the board of the importance of the vaccine against these diseases so that it can let teachers and pupils know of the vaccination against yellow fever and measles. Good health is of essence. It enhances economic growth, prosperity and comfort”.

However, a health worker with National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Abuha, Joy Mariam Eke, noted that Imo State is part of states that will benefit from the campaign, disclosing that population in the over 418 wards in the state are going to be attended to effectively, saying both the public and the private schools would be involved in the exercise.