The Federal Capital Territory Administration will intensify poliomyelitis immunization exercise throughout the length and breadth of the Federal Capital Territory in order to completely eradicate the disease even though it was last reported in Abuja in 2013.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajaikaiye gave this assurance during the flag-off of the FCT 2016 African Vaccination Week at Saburi Community, a suburb of Abuja at the weekend.
The Permanent Secretary described the theme of the flag-off “Close the immunity gap: Stay Polio Free,” as apt; reiterating that the Administration would provide quality immunization services to all FCT residents to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children in the Territory.
Dr. Ajakaiye said the Administration would increase access to cost effective vaccinations against preventable diseases and make life saving critical health interventions, such as Vitamin A supplementation, nutritional screening and management.
He disclosed that the Administration would double its efforts aimed at providing critical information on health education easily available to all residents.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the focus of the African Vaccination in FCT is to work together with other stakeholders to strengthen national immunization programmes in the entire African region.
He said that the FCT Administration places top priority on the target of attaining Polio eradication and certification in Nigeria by 2017 and is therefore working to ensure availability of all relevant supplies to meet the demand that will be created.
Dr. Ajakaiye warned that all the resources provided must be judiciously utilized to improve the health of all the women and children in the FCT.
He, thus, called on all residents to avail themselves of the opportunity to receive immunization services, from the 24th to 30th April, 2016, in the health camps sited at selected areas including those in the Internally Displaced Camps, nomadic settlements and other high risk communities.
He also called for the collaboration and support of the Traditional rulers, religious leaders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT to eradicate polio in Nigeria as projected.
Also speaking at the event, the FCT Acting Secretary of Health & Human Services, Mrs. Alice Achu said the last case of wild poliovirus was reported in February 2013 in the FCT, which she attributed to the collaborative efforts of government and other partners.
She explained that, as part of activities for the FCT 2016 Vaccination Week, the FCTA would provide immunization services to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and nomadic settlements with poor routine immunization coverage.
