Enugu State is among the states in the country that have made an up-to-date payment of counterpart funds for the immunization of children against childhood killer diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of measles immunization campaign at Uwani Cottage Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Onyinye Emefiena, the zonal representative of WHO announced that the state had paid its counterpart funds since last October.
Emefiena applauded the state government for its commitment to the programme, saying this made it possible for the event to take place in the state..
Describing measles as a killer disease that has taken many lives, she explained that through vaccines, children within the nine-month and nine-year age bracket will be immunized.
“The immunization exercise will be taking place in health centres, schools, traditional rulers’ palaces and every other designated place where children can be found. So, mothers and caregivers should avail their kids of this gesture,” she said.
Responding, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the Enugu State deputy governor, reiterated the Ugwuanyi administration’s readiness to sustain the fight against measles and other childhood killer diseases in the state.
“The Enugu State government has joined forces with international partners like the WHO and UNICEF to ensure the execution of a statewide campaign in all corners of our dear state. The aim is to reach out to our children and immunize them against measles which is often a deadly disease that contributes to high infant mortality indices,” said Ezeilo.
Also speaking, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyayo, the UNICEF representative, applauded the Enugu State government for sustaining the immunization efforts through support in the areas of logistics, training and supervision, adding that such assistance will ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, the chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, similarly lauded the Ugwuanyi administration, describing the commitment it has so far given to the immunization programme since its inauguration as “unprecedented in the history of the state”.
Agubuzu said in the past the government did not pay much attention to the exercise as it was usually the state commissioners of health who flagged off immunization campaigns, noting “But now Governor Ugwuanyi or his deputy is the one that flags off immunization exercise under a conducive atmosphere.”
