Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has urged mothers to prioritise the health and future of their children.
She made the call on Saturday, August 24, in Awka during the 2nd Anambra State Women Health Summit.
It was organised under her Healthy Living Initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
She lamented low uptake of immunisation in the state despite free vaccines, describing immunisation as critical to the protection of children from life-long illness.
She said: “I’m not happy to hear that our state is recording low in immunisation uptake.
“Mothers need to create time and take their children to health facilities to get them vaccinated.
“These childhood vaccines are free, safe and effective.
“Mothers should see immunisation as a top priority because when your child is healthy, you are free from stress and expenses experienced when a child is ill.
“Since Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration started the free antenatal and delivery policy, Anambra is now one of the states with the lowest maternal mortality.
“We want to record same in the area of immunisation too.”
While urging women to appreciate their God-given skin colour, Dr. Soludo advised them to desist from spending so much on bleaching creams.
“Instead of spending so much on bleaching creams, women should spend more on regular health checks, eating balanced diets and engaging in regular exercises to stay fit and healthy,” she said.
Dr Uju Obiagwu of the WHO decried gradual reduction of immunisation coverage in the state.
“The state government is doing so much in partnership with WHO to ensure availability of all the childhood vaccines across the health facilities but we are not happy that the uptake is low.
“These vaccines help to prevent acute paralysis, measles, polio, meningitis, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cholera and neonatal tetanus.
“We recorded several outbreaks of Measles at Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru and Ayamelum, because they do not take their children to the hospital for immunisation.
“Our mothers have a huge role to play in ensuring that children in Anambra are vaccinated. So, spread the message in your various communities to help our children live heathier and longer lives,” she said.
State Coordinator, WHO, Dr Mohamed Bonos appreciated the state government for providing the enabling environment and partnership that promoted the health of residents.
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Brian Adinma, called women to view their reproductive health as priority.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, described the health summit as a demonstration that government recognised health and welfare of women and children in the state.
