FCTA to immunise 860,000 children against killer diseases
NAN-HG-2
Immunisation
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, May 15, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board on Monday said it would immunise 860,000 children against killer diseases to mark 2017 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this at the flag-off ceremony of MNCH week in Abuja.
Mohammed explained that MNCH, which would hold between May 15 and 19, would offer a lot of interventions for children below the age of five and mothers.
He said that apart from administration of vaccines against some killer diseases, children in Abuja would also receive Vitamin A and deworming tablets.
“Children in 28 Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps will also benefit from the programme.
“No fewer than 310 health centres are designated for the exercise and 992 community volunteers will participate for the special intervention programmes to mark the week,’’ he said.
The Acting Secretary of FCT Health and Human Services, Mrs Alice Odey, described the high prevalence of malnutrition in Abuja as alarming and unacceptable by the government.
Odey explained that the rate of stunting in FCT was at 20.6 per cent, underweight 12.6 per cent and wasting stood at 13.8 per cent.
“The FCT administration is working to achieve WHO’s global target on malnutrition of lower than five per cent by 2025.
This year’s package is targeting maternal, newborn and child survival interventions which had proven to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality.
“This year’s MNCH will focus on the provision of Vitamin A supplement, hand washing, deworming of children, family planning, immunisation against preventable diseases, HIV counseling and nutrition, among others,’’ she said. (NAN)
MS/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola