FG Seeks Traditional Rulers’ Support On Immunization, Covid-19 Vaccines

The Federal government has opened discussions with the northern traditional rulers to drive immunization exercises in the region.

Addressing a meeting of Northern traditional leaders’ committee in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuiab noted that the traditional leaders have remained instrumental in ensuring that people at the grassroots access healthcare.

He explained that the different disease outbreaks in the country have necessitated the partnership, adding that most communities are prone to diseases as they lack potable water, and carry out unhygienic practices.

“Amidst COVID-19, we have Cholera, CVDPV2 which is as a result of suboptimal routine immunization in some parts of the country.

“With the different disease outbreaks in the country we are currently contending with, it is imperative that our approach becomes more integrated,” he said.

He also disclosed that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; (Ọjájá II), is currently providing leadership in the systematic engagement of the Traditional leaders in the South West with the Southwest Traditional Leaders’ Committee on PHC delivery.

“This shows that our traditional leaders have the interest of their community at heart and are collaborating with the government in ensuring basic healthcare services are available to the people.

He further stated that the government has adopted the primary health care services integration also known as ‘the whole of family approach’ for the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination.

The approach, according to him, entails checking the blood pressure and assessing the diabetes risk status of clients 40 years and above and screening children 0 to 12 months for malnutrition and routine immunization status.

In his remark, the Sultan of Sokoto who was represented by Emir of Argungu, Samaila Mohammed said that there are sensitization programs ongoing in his community on the need to embrace immunization, especially the COVID-19 vaccination.

He said, “It is easier when we lead by example, I have taken the two shots of the vaccine and so I have advised that people go and take theirs too.

“We also talk to them about the safety of the vaccines and give them the needed support,” he said.