The Edo State branch of Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) has tasked nursing mothers in Edo State to ensure that they complete immunization schedule for their babies to avoid diseases that could cause death or hamper growth of the child.
The chairman of Edo State branch of the APHPN , Dr Andrew Obi made the plea during a Community Health Outreach in collaboration with Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ovia North East LGA, Department of of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and World Health Organization ( WHO) in Ovbiogie Primary Health Center, Ovia North East, Edo State
The association also welcomed the National President of APHPN, Dr Terfa Kene , who was on an official visit to the state.
Speaking , Dr Obi said aside welcoming the National President , the association also seek for a means to collaborate with agencies and organizations that could provide health care to the populace and as well engender interventions that will strengthen public health system delivery.
“Today, you can see hear , women in their productive age, community leaders and the private sector. We are also here to engender the need for routine health check-up for our people , to strengthen emphasis on the need for routine immunization
“You can see nursing mothers with their babies who are here to receive vaccination, which is key to prevent vaccine preventable diseases. We hope that with these collaboration the Edo State Public Health will receive the needed breath. We urge mothers to take vaccines to be will be able to break the chain of vaccine preventable diseases.”
He urged government and employers of labour to provide better work environment, better pay for medical workers to reduce the tide of brian drain in the health sector , maintaining that such gesture will encourage health workers to stay in the system.
“We all know the implications of brain drain in any society, it means that our best brain is leaving the system.”
On his part, the National President of APHPN, Dr Terfa Kene said ,the reason for the visit was to draw support for the Edo State branch of APHPN, maintaining that the association is doing everything to ensure collaboration with agencies that will help in providing quality health services.
He advised nursing mothers to ensure that they complete their immunization schedule to avoid vaccine preventable diseases that could kill disfigure children.
The Head of Department, Department , Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr
Otaniyenuwa Eloghosa Obarisagbon said the program which was supported by other partners was organized to ensure that , “our mothers and their babies stay healthy and as well to encourage people to go for health check-ups, maintain hygiene, washing of hands whenever it is necessary. I believe that the massage has been properly received. We want to thank the organizers , who have made it program possible.” She said.
On the reason for selecting Ovbiogie Primary Health Center for the program, She said , there will be a scale -up for other facilities in the area soon.
Mrs Abieyuwa Ogbeide, local immunization officer, Ovia North East , said the program is a mop- -up for the local government immunization program . She maintained that the local government has a high immunization uptake, adding that their is need to encourage nursing mothers not to joke with completing their immunization schedules.
