No fewer than 53,210 children are expected to be immunized in the ongoing house-to-House polio immunization in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Agency of the local government, Alh Adamu Hassan Pella made this known in Garaha village while flagging-off this year’s National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) in the area.
Pella said the local government had received 60,000 doses of vaccines for the exercise.
While noting that in the next six months Nigeria would be certified polio free if no case was recorded, Pella urged parents to present their children from 0 to five years for immunization.
“Our health personnel move from house to house to carry out the exercise, while others will be at fixed posts. There is also a special team, so that the entire local government will be covered within the four days period of the exercise in 518 settlements”, Pella said.
Flagging-off the exercise, the wife of Hong Council chairman, Mrs Awumtiya James Pukuma urged parents to avail their children for the exercise to record maximum success in the area.
“This is the only way we can protect our children from being victim of poliomyelitis as well as halt the manifestation of the disease in any part of the local government, ” she said.
Pukuma who expressed delight with the arrangement put in place by the Primary Health Care Agency in the local government to ensure a successful immunization coverage, solicited for maximum cooperation from all communities in the area so that no child is left out.
In his remarks, the Social Communication for Development Officer of the local government, Alhaji Hamidu S. Audu reminded parents that immunization is a right, and they must not deny the children their right to healthy life as humans and leaders of tomorrow.
Audu urged parents to keep the immunization card in a safe place for future references and called on pregnant mothers to always visit health centers for ante-natal for their well-being and that of the child.
In their separate remarks, the representative of the District Head of Dugwaba, James Buba and the Village Head of Garaha, Dauda Istakis gave their assurance to mobilize for a successful exercise.
There are also goodwill messages from the Hong Legislative Council Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon Barminas Musa, and the Councillor representing Garaha Ward, Hon Hyellabathiya Anthony.
