The Nigerian government has called on the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee, NTLC on Primary Health Care delivery to do more for Polio to be eradicated.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire made the call in Abuja, the nation’s capital during the first quarter of the 2023 review meeting of the NTLC.
Dr Ehanire commended the role of the committee, saying “the gains made over the years in Primary Health Care service delivery is largely attributed to the role of traditional leaders.”
He urged the NTLC to seek support for PHC centres from philanthropists and politicians in their communities.
The Minister said; “The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA is glad to host the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on PHC Delivery (NTLC) in Abuja. We plan to introduce vaccines against malaria and other viruses like Human Papilloma to ensure that Nigerians are healthy and productive.”
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib also commended the Committee.
He said the Nigerian government is doing everything possible to eradicate all forms of polio and improve routine immunisation in the country, with the support of development partners.
Dr Faisal also reiterated that the fight against Covid-19 was not over until Nigeria attains 70% target vaccination coverage.
He said, “On the ongoing Diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria, traditional leaders should mobilise community members to get vaccinated.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee would continue to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and the NPHCDA to ensure that communities have access to PHC services especially vaccination against childhood diseases.
He was represented by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Haliru Yahaya, the Emir of Shonga.
The Chairman of NTLC and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera pledged the NTLC’s continuous support for government policies especially those aimed at improving the well-being of community members.
The objective of the meeting was to review the progress of the role played by the Traditional leaders in Primary Health Care delivery at the grassroots.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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