By Gloria Osemudiamhen
The Edo State Government through the Office of the Edo State First Lady, led by Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has convened a stakeholders’ meeting on the statewide sensitization and mobilization for the Measles-Rubella vaccine campaign, aimed at ensuring seamless rollout of the vaccine.
In an address at the stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Benin City, Mrs. Anani underscored the importance of the meeting to include securing the programme’s success and ensuring compliance with vaccine uptake to dispel misconceptions. She stated, “The essence of this meeting is to engage with technical stakeholders, leveraging their expertise throughout the pre-implementation, the implementation, and the post-implementation phases.”
Mrs. Anani while stressing the significance of immunization for a healthy society, noted that unimmunized children may blame their parents for contacting any preventable diseases later in life. She described Measles-Rubella to be contagious, having severe consequences, including congenital disabilities and death. She appreciated the State Government’s efforts in making the vaccine free, thereby increasing its accessibility.
To ensure the campaign’s success, Mrs. Anani called for collaboration in sensitizing the public through various channels, including electronic and social media broadcasts, information sharing with traditional and religious organizations, amongst others.
The Director of the Institute of Child Health, Prof. Ayebo Sadoh, explained the risks associated with Rubella, particularly for pregnant women, which according to him, could lead to devastating consequences including stillbirth, mental retardation, deafness, blindness, and congenital heart disease in newborns. The meeting concluded with stakeholders mapping out strategic plans for the Measles-Rubella sensitization campaign.
