The First Lady of Kwara State and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, Amb. Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has called for intensified awareness campaigns on Measles and Rubella vaccination, particularly at the grassroots level.
She made the call during a sensitisation programme for the spouses of local government chairmen, held at the Kwara State Banquet Hall in Ilorin.
Ambassador Abdulrazaq stated that according to research, the dangers inherent when Measles and Rubella disease is contacted by pregnant women especially during the first trimester, results to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) which manifests in newborns as cataracts, heart defects, hearing impairment and mental disabilities.
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The First Lady further enjoined the Spouses of local government chairmen as her representatives in local government areas and Renewed hope coordinators in the local in the local government areas to intensify sensitization and awareness on measles and rubella vaccine as this would ensure high vaccine coverage when it is rolled out.
While engaging with the audience on measles and rubella vaccine, a member of the board of trustees of Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje called for harmonized effort to ensure that no child is left out when the vaccine is rolled out in the fourth quarter of the year.
In her remarks, the Executive secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu described Measles and Rubella as most contagious and viral disease affecting children globally.
While appreciating the visionary leadership of the state governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering support on positive outcomes in the health sector of the state, she further charged spouses of local government chairmen to rise to the advocacy call in their respective domain at the grassroots, ensuring that no child is left behind in the vaccination campaign.
Also in his goodwill message, the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Yahaya Haliru commended Amb. Abdulrazaq for her foresight and dedication to the health and well-being of kwarans and urged stakeholders to put in collective efforts to drive the sensitization and awareness on measles and rubella vaccine.
The event was attended by the Wife of the Speaker of the state Assembly, Hajia Saadatu Danladi, Deputy Chief of staff Government House, Princess Bukola Babalola, Commissioner for communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju and other top government officials, representatives from various political groups, artisan groups, religious groups, amongst others.