Oshiomhole impressed by immunization programme compliance in Edo

BY OLALEKAN BADMOS

 

The Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed joy over the level of compliance in immunization programme in local government areas across the state.

Oshiomhole, who spoke at the closing of the 4-day National Immunization programme in Benin city, also thanked the development partners for exposing the few local governments that were unable to measure up in their compliance to the project.

"We are happy with the rate of compliance. Eighty per cent is obviously a good mark and there is no reason why we cannot achieve a hundred percent. It is a realistic target and it is a target we must achieve this year, not next year.

"We will review and identify those who have done well and those who have not and give a deadline within which they must comply or we ask our people to recall them because if Local Governments cannot provide these services, then Nigeria is in trouble. Nothing can be more fundamental than this immunization," he said.

While urging politicians to demonstrate the political will to ensure that all is done to banish communicable diseases from the country, the Governor remarked that Nigeria was fortunate to have willing partners who are ready to provide data, training and management to achieve success in the exercise.

"If in spite of all these, we still have local governments who don’t understand, then we have to expose them to their people, because this is a task that must be done. We have a duty to our people and obligation to our children and to support our mothers who are willing to participate in the exercise.

"Let me assure our people that we all must be committed to this exercise. Poverty is not an excuse because these vaccines are free. Ignorance is not an excuse because we have health centres in all the villages and we have people whose business is to mobilise and sensitize the people," said the governor.

Oshiomhole also appealed to traditional rulers, opinion moulders, labour groups, NGOs and various interest groups to unite and ensure that the message is taken to the grassroot.

"I want to thank our development partners who have stood with us over the years, helping us to recognise that it is a shame for Nigeria to be in the same club with Pakistan and Afghanistan, when we ought to be the leaders of the African continent.”

The state Commissioner for Health, Aihanuwa Eregie, had earlier disclosed that various vaccination points were opened across the local governments to ensure that all residents, irrespective of where they live, benefit from the exercise.