Despite efforts of several Nigerian governments to ensure adequate vaccination for children in their respective enclaves, the nation’s immunisation coverage remained at sub optimal level.
The President of Paediatric Association of Nigeria, Prof. Ekanem Ekute who revealed this critical issue of unvaccinated children in the country, noted that the matter is becoming worrisome.
Prof. Ekute made this known when the Executive Council of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria paid a courtesy call on the Secretary to the Ogun State government, Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi today in his office at the Ogun State Government Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The pediatrician called attention to the dire need for urgent action in this regard as children and adolescents form the greater part of the Nigerian Population.
He made emphasis on the fact that they remained the asset of the nation, stating that their health and well-being must be prioritised.
The Pediatricians Association’s President pointed out that the low immunisation coverage, poor access to water and other environmental issues are the source of the perpetual poor performances of children.
He urged governments at all level to priortise children immunisation and care as he advocated for more funding through improved budget for children that would capture effective immunisation and logistics systems.
Prof. Ekute also called for effective primary healthcare system, digital health technology, comprehensive health insurance package for children under 5 and their protection against any form of abuse.
The President of the Paediatric Association commended the State government’s effort in maternal care and informed that his association would be hosting its 57th Conference in Ogun State, while applauding the gesture of the State in advance.
In his response, Mr. Talabi, the Secretary to the State government, reinstated the resolve of the state to sustain its advocacy against Child Abuse as he reaffirmed the commitment of the state to bring to book anyone found culpable of the devious acts.
Talabi said that the Government had taken a stand against any forms of abuse in whatever form or guises, especially against children and had determined right from inception to stem the tide by going after perpetrators to reed off the society from such menace.
The State scribe stated that, part of the measures put in place by the Government was to ensure effective and affordable maternal and child care with the introduction of a comprehensive insurance package that had provided efficient health care services for ‘mother and child’ before and after delivery, without out-of-pocket expenses, while he said the government would however welcome any other progressive initiative that would assist in improving child care in the State without any form of prejudice.
