From Our Correspondent
Wife of the Anambra Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, on Saturday, appealed to mothers to prioritise the health of their children, lamenting the low uptake of immunisation in the state.
TheNewsZenith reports that Soludo made the appeal at the second Anambra State Women Health Summit organised by her “Healthy Living” initiative.
The summit was held in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), in Awka.
According to her, immunisation is important to protect children from life-threatening illnesses.
“I’m not happy to hear that our state is recording low coverage in immunisation uptake.
“Mothers should create time to take their children to health facilities for vaccination.
“These childhood vaccines are free, safe and effective. Mothers should see immunisation as a top priority.
“When your child is healthy, you are free from stress and expenses experienced when a child is ill.
“Since Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration started the free antenatal and delivery policy, Anambra has become one of the states with the lowest maternal mortality.
“We want to record the same in the area of immunisation,” she said.
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Soludo urged women to avoid excessive spending on bleaching creams. Rather, she advised them to appreciate their God-given skin colour.
“Instead of spending excessively on bleaching creams, women should spend more on regular health checks.
“They should eat balanced diets and engage in regular exercises to stay healthy.”
Also speaking, WHO’s representative, Dr Uju Obiagwu, lamented that immunisation coverage was gradually reducing in Anambra.
“The state government is strongly partnering with WHO to ensure regular supply of vaccines. But we are not happy that the uptake is low.
“These vaccines help to prevent acute paralysis, measles, polio, meningitis, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera and neonatal tetanus.
“We recorded several outbreaks of Measles at Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru and Ayamelum. This is because they do not take their children to the hospital for immunisation.
“Our mothers have a big role to play in ensuring that children in Anambra get vaccinated.
“So, go and spread the message in your various communities to help our children live healthier and live longer, ” Obiagwu said.
Also speaking, Dr Afam Obidike, Health Commissioner said the summit was a demonstration that the state government recognised the health and welfare of women and children in the state.
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