In a renewed push to safeguard children against deadly but preventable diseases, the Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, and the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, on Friday led a high-level monitoring exercise of the ongoing Measles–Rubella (MRM) Vaccination Campaign across selected states in Nigeria.
The joint monitoring visit, which covered Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in Kogi State and the Federal Capital Territory, underscores the strong collaboration between national and state health authorities to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
At the Chikora North PHC in Kogi Local Government Area and New Township PHC in Abaji Area Council, Abuja, the delegation engaged mothers and caregivers, sensitizing them on the importance of timely immunization and ensuring their children’s fingers were properly marked as proof of vaccination.
Dr. Aina commended the dedication of frontline health workers and emphasized the importance of accurate data reporting for effective national planning.
“Honest and verifiable data whether we meet our targets or not is the only way we can plan better and strengthen our health systems sustainably,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government remains committed to addressing challenges faced by health workers through the Renewed Hope Health Reform Agenda, aimed at delivering equitable and efficient healthcare services nationwide.
Dr. Fasawe, who personally administered vaccines to infants at the Abaji PHC, reminded mothers that immunization saves lives and protects children from lifelong complications.
“Unvaccinated children face a higher risk of blindness, brain damage, hearing loss, congenital defects, and even death from measles or rubella,” she warned, urging parents to spread the message within their communities.
The health leaders praised the turnout and performance of vaccination teams, urging them to sustain their dedication and adhere strictly to safety standards. During the visit, the delegation also attended to a 13-year-old patient at the Kogi PHC and recommended follow-up care to ensure quality service delivery.
The Measles–Rubella Vaccination Campaign, which was officially flagged off by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on October 6, will run until October 15 across 19 northern states and Oyo State. The initiative reinforces the shared commitment of federal and state agencies to strengthen immunization systems, reduce preventable diseases, and build a healthier nation for Nigeria’s children.
