The Gombe State Government has flagged off Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in line with the administration’s policy of providing quality health care to the people of the state.

The event also featured the commencement of mass vaccination campaign against measles, meningitis, yellow fever, and COVID-19 from Friday, June 17 to July 8, 2022.

Performing the ceremony at the Gombe Emir’s Palace on behalf of the state governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, the state deputy governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, said the activity was a move towards improving the health status of the entire residents of the state.

Jatau said: “You are all aware that our government has ensured efficient and effective Primary Health Care Services delivery in the state since its inception on the 29th of May, 2019.

“As of today, the state has successfully handled cases of Lassa Fever, while it is prepared to handle emergency health issues such as Ebola, Monkeypox, and others.

“For us to achieve the laudable objectives, the great support from the Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), its partners, and relevant stakeholders must be acknowledged and accepted.”

He further called for the support of traditional rulers and religious leaders, civil society organisations, women groups, media, and other members of the public for the success of the exercise.

In his remarks, the Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru said the mass campaign for vaccination targets women, mothers, and children under five across the state.

The commissioner, who commended the zeal put by the present administration in the health sector, said the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya-led administration has contained Lassa Fever and has vaccinated many people against COVID-19, including the governor and his deputy.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, PHCDA, Gombe State, Dr. Shuaibu Abdulrahaman, said the exercise would be carried out in all the 114 wards in the state, covering all the eligible residents including mothers, children and adults depending on the vaccination beginning from Friday, June 17 to July 8, 2022.

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Shuaibu disclosed that Gombe, Ogun, and Lagos were the three states in Nigeria where the exercise would be held.

He added that yellow fever vaccination covers children from 9 months to adults of 44 years, measles for children of 9 months to 59 months, while Men-A is for children between 10 to 11 years, and routine immunization for children 0 to 23 months.

Vitamin-A will be administered on children of 6-59 months, Covid-19 for adults 18 years and above, Fesolate /Folic for pregnant Mothers, Anti- Malaria drugs for children and pregnant women, and Deworming tablets for children.

The Senior District Head of Gombe, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar, appreciated the government for having the people of the state at heart and providing vaccination towards improving their health status.

In his goodwill message, Mr. Yahaya Ahmed of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, appreciated the efforts of the state government towards advancing the health of citizenry.

Representative of Development Partners, Mr. Patrick of World Health Organization (WHO) commended the state government for embarking on the mass vaccination program and assured of their continued support towards enhancing the livelihood of the people in the state.

Attah Williams

The Star