By Dare Akogun
The wife of Kwara governor and Founder, Ajike People Support Centre, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, on Monday in Ilorin flagged off the Rotavirus vaccine in the state.
Mrs AbdulRazaq said the event marked the introduction of the Rotavirus vaccine into routine immunisation campaigns and to ensure that preventable diseases that remained major causes of illness and deaths among children less than five years of age were curtailed.
She said that the rotavirus was one of the leading causes of diarrhoea disease in the world and responsible for over 40 per cent of diarrhoea in children.
She added that it was also the most frequent cause of severe diarrhoea, accounting for about 215,000 of the global 525,000 under five mortality attributed to diarrheal diseases each year.
The governor’s wife said the vaccine is free, safe and effective at preventing diarrhoea disease caused by the rotavirus, adding that the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into routine immunisation schedule was a major milestone in the push to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Protecting young children through this vaccine also decreases rates of rotavirus infection in unimmunised and elderly populations,” she said.
This vaccine stands to also help reduce the use of antibiotics, which are often ineffectively prescribed to treat rotavirus infections, thus helping to stem the rise of antibiotic resistance.
“I enjoin parents, guardians and caregivers to present their eligible children and wards to the nearest primary healthcare centre for this important vaccine and other routine vaccines that are in the system until children are fully vaccinated,” she said.
Earlier, The State Commissioner for Communications, Hon Olabode George Towoju, reiterated the government’s commitment towards the health sector, stressing the need to improve the health of every Kwaran, while reducing death rates among children.
Towoju emphasized that the government is ready to partner with professional bodies and organizations to reduce the rate of diarrhea amongst children.
Mr. Towoju appreciated Her Excellency for breaking the ice, walking the talk and always placing priority on women and children, she is indeed a Good Mother,” he concluded.
On his part, The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Raji Razaq, lauded the co-operation of the state government on the works done in the health sector, stating that His Excellency has renovated over 45 Primary Health Care Centers across the state.
Earlier, The Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Nusirat Elelu in her welcome address, stated that the Rotavirus vaccine is “part of the comprehensive strategy to control dehydrating diarrhea among children.”
According to her, “introducing Rotavirus vaccine will reduce illness and death from diarrhea diseases by about 40%, saving more lives of children under five years of age.
“We have built capacities of our ever- ready and hardworking health workers to be able to make the most of the introduction of the vaccine.
She however urged all mothers and caregivers to take their children to the nearest health facilities to get their children immunized.
The Acting State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO) Mr Ebun Opeyemi, commended the governor’s wife for her support for healthcare delivery in the state.
Opeyemi assured the state of technical support whenever needed and appreciated the state government on its proactive measures in healthcare services.
