August 02, (THEWILL) — Ogun State Government and UNICEF have reaffirmed their commitment to providing timely vaccinations for pregnant women and children, protecting them from infectious and life-threatening diseases.
This follows the resolutions at a quarterly meeting of the Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Committee organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Abeokuta, the state capital.
At the meeting, stakeholders from UNICEF, Ministries, Civil Societies, Media, among others, engaged each other on immunisation and vaccination of both mothers and children to safeguard the child from contracting life-threatening infections and ailments such as polio, measles, hepatitis, tetanus, e.t.c.
UNICEF SBC Consultant for Ogun State, Mr Michael Oyediji, stressed that life-threatening diseases such as polio and hepatitis in a child could be prevented from the pregnant mother if rules and regulations concerning adequate hygiene practices in health institutions were duly observed.
Oyediji admonished expectant mothers to always go for antenatal care at a hospital to identify health risks to prevent maternal and infant mortality.
A health educator with Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Mr Waheed Elegede, harped on spreading immunisation and vaccination awareness in schools, markets, religious centres, communities, among others, to protect the children from deformed and killer diseases.
Elegbde stated that infectious and terminal diseases, including hepatitis, tetanus, measles, diarrheal and Human papillomavirus infection, among others, could be prevented in a child if well vaccinated.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Waheed Adesina, said reforms in federal investments, health, education, and social policy must go beyond awareness, calling for deliberate efforts to address cultural, economic, and psychological barriers.
Adesina lauded the Programme Director, Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf, and her team for their tireless efforts in ensuring that plans materialise into the protection of lives for every community in the state.
“Today, we reconvene not merely as stakeholders, but as architects of a future where every child and mother in Ogun State thrives through our collective resolve. These discussions are not academic; they are lifelines connecting policy to the grassroots, where a child’s survival often hangs in the balance”, he noted.
Earlier, Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf opined that the meeting showed commitment and dedication among the stakeholders to come up with plans on ways to go about immunising children to ensure their well-being.
“The agenda before us reflects the urgency of our mission—from capacity building to mobilisation techniques for immunisation. Let us engage with purpose, knowing that every idea shared here has the potential to ripple through communities, fostering healthier, safer futures for our children and families”, she stressed.
Seun Shotunde, THEWILL
