By Jamila Abubakar
The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum, NGSF, under the leadership of the First Lady of Adamawa State, Hajiya Lami Ahmadu Fintiri, has organized a one-day sensitization program to raise awareness on the importance of the Measles-Rubella MR vaccine across the state.
Held in Yola, the initiative is aimed at mobilising community support and strengthening routine immunization efforts, with a focus on children and women.
The sensitization program sought also to prevent potential outbreaks, increase vaccine uptake, and eliminate misinformation about vaccination at the grassroots level.
Hajiya Lami Fintiri, who introduced the initiative to the Adamawa govt under the NGSF platform, underscored the importance of involving community leaders in health campaigns.
She encouraged the wives of area council chairmen and traditional rulers to help spread awareness and ensure full coverage of the MR vaccine across communities.
The Commissioner for Health, Mr. Felix Tangwami, recounted how past measles outbreaks significantly disrupted public services, including school calendars.
He stressed that the vaccination campaign would help avert similar challenges and strengthen disease prevention systems in the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Bashir Suleiman, highlighted the state’s commitment to strengthening immunization services.
He noted that the MR vaccine rollout is part of a broader effort to reduce child mortality and improve public health outcomes.
Representative of the World Health Organization in Adamawa state, Dr. Visa Tyakaray, explained that the Measles-Rubella vaccine is administered in two doses and offers lifelong protection when completed.
She emphasized the critical need for communities to take advantage of the campaign to safeguard their children.
In his remarks, the Murum Mbula, His Royal Highness Bolton Beltley Boyapo, expressed support for the initiative on behalf of the traditional council.
He called for the awareness to be extended to all parts of the state in order to achieve a healthier population.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the health sector, traditional institutions, local governments, women’s groups, and development partners.
It concluded with a strong collective resolve to intensify community engagement, ensure that every eligible child is vaccinated, and work toward the complete elimination of measles and rubella in Adamawa State.
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