Immunisation: NSPHCDA Involves Herdsmen Leadership

Dr Mohammed Adiz, the Executive Chairman of Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA), on Friday, said the agency would involve the leadership of herdsmen in immunisation activities in the state.

He told said in Lafia that the decision was taken during the second quarter review meeting of the state’s task force on immunisation held on Wednesday.

He said “Fulani Ardos would be incorporated into immunisation monitoring teams at various levels in the state to achieve full coverage of the exercise.”

Adiz said the task force noted with concern the level of non compliance to the immunisation against polio and other childhood killer diseases in some parts of the state, especially Fulani settlements.

He said the inclusion of the leadership of the herdsmen in the state committee and all ‘Ardos’ at the various communities would help to ensure compliance.

He explained that ‘Ardos’ were in a better position to adequately enlighten their people on the need for the immunisation and allay their fears of any adverse implication.

He encouraged local government councils in the state to make commitment toward the immunisation exercises in line with their mandate.

He noted that apart from intervention from international donor agencies and efforts of the state government, local government areas were supposed to take ownership of the immunisation to achieve universal coverage.

He highlighted some of the challenges facing immunisation exercises in the state to include inadequate cooling facilities and power supply needed for storage of vaccines.