Ebonyi emerges over all Best performing state for routine immunization

Ebonyi state has emerged the overall best performing State for Routine immunization in Nigeria.

The award was conferred on the State at the Immunization Performance award ceremony , as part of African Vaccination week held at Sheraton hotel, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr Boss Mustapha handed over the award and a Toyota Hilux Van to Governor David Nweze Umahi who was represented by the Deputy Governor Dr Kelechi Igwe at the event.

The African Vaccination week was geared towards strengthening immunization programmes in African region by increasing awareness on the importance of every person's need and right to be protected from vacation- preventable diseases.

Fifteen States received awards in five categories which includes overall best performing States in Covid 19 Vaccination; overall best performing States in Routine immunization; most improved states in Covid 19 Vaccination; most improved states in Routine Immunization; and most performing States in each of the six Geo- political zones for Covid 19 and Routine immunization.

President Muhammadu Buhari represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha noted that the event was an opportunity to reward excellent performance by individuals and States in the country who have ensured that the vaccination exercise in their States received priority.

He attributed the decline in the rate of Covid 19 to the on - going vaccination ." It has been confirmed and guaranteed that the vaccines are safe and efficacious. I urge those who have not taken the vaccines to avail themselves of this opportunity to take boaster doses because it is clear that the virus is not in a hurry to go. We should also continue to observe non- pharmaceutical measures of wearing masks, keeping physical distance, sanitize and wash our hands regularly until we have vaccinated at least 70 percent of eligible Nigerians".

The Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire said the celebration symbolises an effort at eradicating preventable diseases over the years and renew the zeal to continue the struggle and strategize to safeguard the health of the people.

" I wish to complain that the attention to Primary Health is not thesame in all the States of the federation because some States are not doing the needful".

The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib explained that 15 States were selected based on awareness and demand creation, Human resources development as well as financial support on the part of the Governors.

Ebonyi State Governor was accompanied by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike, and Ebonyi State Executive Secretary , Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Chimumuanya Aloh..