The Adamawa State Task Force on Immunization has on Wednesday held its inauguration and maiden meeting where members reiterated their commitment to sustain the tempo in area of vaccination.
Addressing the meeting, the State Deputy Governor who is also the Chairman of the task force, Chief Crowther Seth, lauded the commitment of the members to improvement of healthcare delivery in the state.
Seth reiterated the commitment of Adamawa Government in boosting immunization in the state to contain preventable diseases like polio, measles and meningitis.
“As chair of the state task force, I will ensure the success of this and all immunization programme through effective planning of its operations, logistics provision, training, finance, social mobilization, monitoring and evaluation among other needs as they arise,” Seth said.
The deputy governor also gave assurance of the state government support in providing counterpart funding and the political commitment needed to boost vaccination campaigns and their acceptability by the people for overall benefit of all.
He also assured partners like UNICEF and WHO present at the meeting of government appreciation of their support to immunizations and other projects in the state.
“To our partners, Adamawa State Government appreciates your support not only on immunization services but in all the projects you provide to the people of the state and behond.
“To our traditional and religious leaders, you command a lot of respect from the people and so the value of your influence in the success of these campaigns cannot be over emphasized,” Seth said.
He also thanked the media, particularly JAP members and other organizations for their role in informing and educating the public on benefits of immunization.
In his brief remarks at the meeting, the Head of UNICEF, Bauchi Field Office, Dr Bhanu Pathak, lauded the commitment shown by Adamawa government towards immunization and assured it of UNICEF and other partners support to sustain and improve the tempo.
“I am happy with the commitment, let’s work together for better results,” Pathak said.
Earlier, the Director Public Health in Adamawa Ministry of Health, Dr Bwalki Dili who represented the Permanent Secretary, Mr Kennedy Bartimaus briefed the meeting on the role of the task force committee.
The Executive Chairman of Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Batulu Mohammed, in her remarks, spoke on successes recorded in immunization in Adamawa which she attributed to the support of government and partners.
She also announced that Federal Government has included meningitis in the up coming vaccination exercise and urged for government support, particularly the deputy governor’s involvement to make the exercise a success in area of mobilizing public participation.
Speaking on behalf of Journalists Against Polio (JAP), Alhaji Dahiru of Fombina Radio, assured the meeting of sustain enlightenment of the public on immunization and other relevant health issues.
Highlights of the meeting includes presentations by Director Immunization, Dr Attahiru Bello, Dr John Sabo, and Pharm. Iyabosa of World Health Organization.
