News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has flagged off the sensitization of citizens on the upcoming Measles-Rubella vaccination.
The Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, on Women Affairs and State Coordinator of the program, Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, who led the awareness walk in Makurdi on Saturday, said it was organized to educate the public ahead of the vaccine rollout scheduled for October this year.
She said the sensitization campaign would help to dispel the myths and misinformation surrounding the vaccine, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the health of mothers and children across the state.
Ben-Sor stated that Governor Alia’s administration is rooted in values of competence, equity, and compassion and expressed confidence in government’s ability to effectively implement the vaccination program.
She said the advocacy efforts would be carried out in all the 23 local government areas of the state, supported by local council chairmen and their spouses through radio and TV jingles, with backing from the State Primary Healthcare Board and other development partners.
While noting that grassroots population remains the primary target of the campaign, she was optimistic hat with over 277 functional healthcare facilities spread across Benue State, the planned outreach would yield significant results and ensure widespread vaccine coverage.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs. Grace Wende, assured the public of the vaccine’s safety and confirmed preparations were underway for its distribution across all healthcare facilities in the state.
She disclosed that the facilities are currently undergoing rehabilitation by the state government saying that traditional rulers and community leaders would be instrumental in mobilization efforts, while healthcare workers would receive proper training ahead of the immunization exercise.
Other key speakers at the event including Dr. Patience Okpeh, President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Benue Chapter, Mrs. Helen Agaigbe, the Benue APC Women Leader, and Dr. Gift Izenyi, Benue State Representative for the Measles-Rubella vaccine under MWAN, all echoed the importance of immunization in preventing the spread of the virus.
They urged the Benue public to take full advantage of the opportunity just as they commended the Alia-led administration for securing the vaccines and making them available to the people of Benue State at no cost.
The Measles-Rubella awareness walk which commenced in Makurdi at the Savannah Roundabout and was concluded at the Government House Roundabout, drew a large turnout of individuals, various groups, key stakeholders, and supporting partners including members of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Benue state.
