Wife of the Kwara State Governor and Founder of the Ajike People Support Centre, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has described the Measles-Rubella Vaccine (MRV) as a life-saving intervention for children and families across the state.
AbdulRazaq made the remark at the official flag-off of the MRV campaign in Ilorin on Friday.
She said that the introduction of the combined Measles-Rubella Vaccine marked a significant milestone in improving child health and closing existing gaps in immunisation coverage.
The governor’s wife emphasised that the vaccine rollout would help protect every child, mother, and family, thereby bringing the state and the nation closer to eliminating measles and rubella.
She commended the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and partner organisations for their efforts in implementing the new vaccine across the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, who represented the Commissioner, Dr Aminat El-Imam, said that the Integrated Measles-Rubella (MR) and Polio Vaccination Campaign aimed to protect 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 Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said that 8,657 trained personnel, including health workers, supervisors, and security personnel, had been deployed to carry out the vaccination exercise.
Prof. Elelu explained that rubella poses a serious risk to pregnant women, leading to complications such as miscarriage, foetal 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 2000 and 2023, it is estimated that measles vaccination alone averted over 60 million deaths worldwide. Yet, the disease remains endemic in many developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia,” she said.
The executive secretary assured that the agency would continue its efforts to safeguard public health, noting that immunisation, antenatal care, and all non-complicated deliveries are provided free of charge across primary healthcare centres in the state.
Elelu commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his substantial investments in the health sector and the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, who chairs the State Task Force on Immunisation and Primary Healthcare, for his continuous 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,” she added.
Speaking on the importance of the campaign, the Social and Behaviour Change Specialist at the United Nations Children’s 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 encourage full participation in the vaccination exercise and called on the media and civil society organisations to counter misinformation and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Also speaking, the Emir of Tsonga, Dr Haliru Yahyah, warned that pregnant women infected with rubella face serious complications during pregnancy.
Yahyah stressed that vaccination remains the most effective means of prevention and urged expectant mothers and parents not to discourage their children from receiving the vaccine.
(NAN)
Haha, 8,657 personnel for a vaccination campaign – looks like Kwara State is really going all out! Prof. Elelu’s stats on measles deaths are grim, but good to know those vaccines prevented over 60 million kids from turning into统计 errors. And the Emir warning pregnant women off rubella? Classic! Vaccination is the most effective means! – tell us something we didn’t know, Your Highness. Though Ibrahim Mohammed’s plea for parents to *not* discourage vaccination seems almost desperate given the preceding statements. 😂 Keep up the good work, Kwara – hope the numbers don’t get bigger than the effort!vòng quay ngẫu nhiên
This measles-rubella campaign is certainly giving Kwara State a major shot in the arm! Its wonderful to see such a massive team – 8,657 strong! – dedicated to protecting our little ones. Prof. Elelu’s reminder about rubella turning pregnant women into walking time bombs (in a good way, health-wise!) is a powerful motivator. And let’s not forget measles, still chillingly contagious despite its vaccine being a total game-changer that’s saved over 60 million lives. Kudos to the state officials and Governor’s wife for kicking things off, and to the UNICEF representative and Emir for adding their voices. Though, honestly, I wonder if the 8,657 personnel also include people to handle the inevitable waves of children demanding lollipops after vaccination! All in all, a much-needed jolt of preventative healthcare for the state.hẹn giờ online